McManus strikes late as Bhoys break brave Hearts

Hearts 2 Celtic 3

Gordon Strachan’s side had been 2-0 down at Tynecastle but two goals in the closing minutes from Stephen McManus completed a turnaround which began with substitute Stephen Pearson’s reply.

Edgaras Jankauskas’s opener in the fifth minute for the Jambos from close range was followed by Steven Pressley’s back-post header two minutes later from a Rudi Skacel corner.

Pearson pulled a goal back after the break just three minutes after coming on for Stilian Petrov.

And after Hearts’ Takis Fyssas was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Maloney, Hoops defender McManus scored an 88th-minute equaliser before notching the winner in the first minute of injury time.

However, Hearts were unhappy with referee Iain Brines’ decision to send off Fyssas.

The Greek defender was red-carded for a challenge on Celtic striker Shaun Maloney as the referee judged him to be the last defender. The incident was comparable to Bobo Balde’s first-half foul on Jambos midfielder Deivivas Cesnauskis, which earned the Parkhead defender only a yellow card.

Hearts head coach Graham Rix said: “I’ve spoken to the SPL delegate and that’s all I’m saying. I don’t get paid enough to get into bother and have to pay a fine.

“I’ve seen it in slow motion and I think it was harsh. I’m not sure there was any contact, I’m not sure he was going to score but I think the ball was going out for a goal kick.

“I know it’s hard for referees because they have to make instant decisions but there was a similar situation in the first half with Balde which was more central and he only got a yellow card.”

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon insists the Jambos players harboured similar thoughts to their boss.

He said: “I can’t think of the last time I was so disappointed after a game. Yes, of course, there is a sense of injustice about the result. When something like that happens it’s very hard to take.

“I think everybody presumed it was going to be yellow and we would just get back on with the game.

“I was going for the ball and the referee pulled out a red card which was slightly bemusing.

“The boys are asking what is the difference between Takis’ challenge and Balde’s challenge in the first half that he got a yellow for? That’s what the players are upset about most.

“It’s easy to use the referee as a scapegoat and we should have done better with 10 men but it’s very hard to take.”

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits his side benefited from the controversial refereeing decision.

He said: “I’ve not seen it on the telly but I’ve spoken to Graham (Rix) and it might be that we were the lucky team in term of decisions.

“Some days you are not the lucky team so we used that bit of luck and turned it to our advantage.”

McManus claimed he was an unlikely hero and said: “I think that is the first time I scored two goals in a game at senior level. I certainly never expected to score twice.

“I wouldn’t say I took my second goal coolly. I’m honest enough to say when I fluked one in.

“It hit off my studs, but as a defender you don’t really care how they go in you just have to cherish them because they don’t happen that often.”

Strachan was reluctant to discuss speculation that striker Chris Sutton, whose contact is up at the end of the season, has been targeted by Everton.

Strachan said: “This is not the time to speak about it.

“There is a hitch in his contract and I would be stupid to think that nobody would notice there is a hitch and try and get a top, top player.”

HEARTS: Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Fyssas, Cesnauskis (Wallace 77), Hartley, Brellier, Skacel, Elliot, Jankauskas (Pospisil 88).

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wallace, Petrov (Pearson 50), Lennon, Nakamura, Thompson (McGeady 62), Hartson, Maloney.

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).