The Scottish Premiership witnessed a flurry of action across multiple matches, with significant implications for the title race and European qualification spots. Hearts have put themselves in a strong position, while Rangers were held to a draw. Elsewhere, Celtic fought back to level against Motherwell.
Hearts Gain Advantage at Tynecastle
Tynecastle is buzzing after Frankie Kent and Cammy Devlin propelled Hearts to a two-goal lead, giving them a significant advantage in the title race. Grown men were reportedly in tears. Cammy Devlin’s goal came after Lawrence Shankland collected the ball and tried to find Claudio Braga. Falkirk’s scramble to block the pass resulted in the ball falling to Devlin, whose shot deflected into the net. Allan Preston described the goal as brilliant for Devlin, noting his return after a long absence and Hearts’ control of the game.
Falkirk, however, are not out of it yet. Calvin Miller forced Alexander Schwolow to tip a shot over the bar, and Sam Hart headed over from the resulting corner.
Rangers and Hibernian All Square at Ibrox
An entertaining first half at Ibrox concluded with the score level. Martin Boyle put Hibernian ahead against the run of play, before Rangers created numerous chances but failed to convert them. Thelo Aasgaard, Youssef Chermiti, and Connor Barron all went close, but were thwarted by a combination of poor finishing and Raphael Sallinger’s excellent goalkeeping. Aasgaard eventually equalised with a brilliant, bending free-kick from the edge of the box.
Hibs need to win to have a chance of pipping Motherwell to fourth place.
Celtic Level Against Motherwell
Motherwell’s early pressure paid off when Elliot Watt’s first-time volley found the back of the net. Celtic equalised through Daizen Maeda towards the end of the first half. The goal for Celtic has briefly hushed the crowd. If the scoreline stays this way goal difference will be crucial. Long way to go though…
A contentious penalty call marked the end of the first period, with Arne Engels’ lobbed attempt hitting the crossbar amid the chaos. Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward clattered into Daizen Maeda, who then went down. The ball fell to Arne Engels, who dinked it off the bar, despite the keeper being out of his net. Celtic may have felt they were in with a shout for a penalty there, but play resumes.
Sebastian Tounekti led the Cetic counter before knocking it inside to Yang Hyun-jun. Daizen Maeda picks it up next inside the area and fires in at a tight angle. Daizen Maeda’s shot back across goal almost squeezes in at the far post after a brief period of Celtic attacking pressure. The visitor’s attackers have been isolated up top so far this evening.
Looking Ahead
Hearts are set to face Celtic on Saturday. The next goal will be huge at Tynecastle.