Hearts can hold their heads high after battling to a narrow 3-1 defeat to league leaders Celtic - despite missing key men in Lawrence Shankland and Robert Snodgrass.
Hearts have been in top form all season, and looked for an unlikely win in the east end of Glasgow to strengthen their position as the third best team in the country. That narrative got off to a dream start as Josh Ginnelly turned home from a superb cross after just six minutes.
But Celtic's patience told, and Daizen Maeda's carbon copy goal levelled the affair on the half hour mark. It took some time for Celtic to get going, but Kyogo soon breached the hatches after an hour with a rasping drive, and Sead Haksabanovic killed the tie off with a brilliant curling effort towards the end. Robbie Neilson will be looking ahead of the game at the weekend to deliver his revenge. Edinburgh Live Sport takes a look at three talking points from Glasgow.
READ MORE: Tynecastle handed elite UEFA status as Hearts prepare for European glitz and glamour ties
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Shankland absence apparent
Of course Hearts won't have been expected to have much possession - or chances by that matter - at Celtic Park, but the absence of Lawrence Shankland was apparent to see.
The Scot was sidelined for the trip to the league leaders, and whilst Josh Ginnelly got the Jambos off to a dream start, Celtic piled on the pressure there on in.
A sticking point up top would have been ideal for Hearts as they were under the cosh - especially with the overloaded midfield being unable to find anybody when going route one - and when you don't make your limited chances, you are going to pay the price.
Ginnelly great, then gone
Daizen Maeda went off after his goal - but so too did Josh Ginnelly. The Englishman is arguably more important to Hearts than Maeda is to the Hoops, and that can only be bad news for the weekend.
The winger got on the scoresheet with a wonderfully timed run which gave the visitors a shock lead, and he was a constant thorn in the side of Alexandro Bernabei who admittedly struggled for the hosts.
Yutaro Oda replaced him but the early signs are that Hearts will miss their star wide man - especially with their only realistic chance to win silverware coming at the weekend.
Fine VAR-gins
The reverse fixture at Tynecastle earlier in the season was quite the spectacle; VAR dominated proceedings in the capital with borderline penalties given and what seemed like clear handballs not given.
It was the exact same here today - Josh Ginnelly's opener was met by a lengthy delay from the officials and eventually his anxious wait was met with glee to give the home side the lead. Meanwhile, Daizen Maeda's goal was checked for a long spell by the officials before being given, and Alexandro Bernabei could have walked.
The equaliser should have stood, but had Bernabei received his marching orders it would have surely tipped the game.
READ NEXT:
- Robbie Neilson outlines one key factor Hearts must show against Celtic ahead of Parkhead challenge
- Hearts 3 St Johnstone 0 as Josh Ginnelly brace helps keep grip on third - three things we learned
- Barrie McKay says pressure always on at Hearts as he calls for 'real performance' vs St Johnstone
