SPL Reserves: Hearts 0-1 Celtic
From Hearts News at Forthbank

John McGlynn tonight hailed the bad luck which led to his Hearts reserve side going down to a late Aiden McGeady goal at Forthbank in Stirling, this afternoon, in a match that was broadcast live on Hearts World.

The Irish youngster struck a perfect free-kick three minutes from time after a dubious decision to penalise Thompson's challenge on Gardyne by referee Pat Rafferty to leave the Wee Jambos reeling. They had put in a power of work in what was a high-tempo contest.

McGeady had controlled much of Celtic's good play, and in truth he had carved open a number of good chances for Kenny McDowall's men, not least when he smashed the post late in the first half.

With a host of first team stars involved Hearts were forced to defend resolutely, and that they did as Virgo, Du Wei and Varga all threatened from McGeady's corner kicks.

The men in all-maroon countered through Saul Mikoliunas who fired a fabulous shot at David Marshall's bottom left corner, only to see the Scotland U21 keeper parry his effort clear as far as Cesnauskis. Deividas lashed the rebound at the near-post but again Marshall was equal to the challenge.

Shortly before the winning goal Hearts might have taken the lead when Elliot found Mole with a marvellous long pass, but as he prepared to drive the ball home Du Wei appeared from nowhere to make a superb last-ditch tackle.

"I thought the guys deserved a draw because we worked hard and kept our shape," John told Hearts News after the game. "We caused them one or two problems. I am disappointed to lose the game so late when it was a dubious free-kick."

Most observers felt that McGeady was the key to Celtic's victory. John conceded this point, but reiterated that he felt Hearts coped better with the threat in the second period. He said: "He is a good player and he will cause most teams problems.

"He hit the post in the first half but in the second half I thought we were comfortable. They did not cause us as many problems as in the first. Our goalkeeper had less to do.

"I thought the two strikers did exceptionally well. They too had to defend for their lives at times, but they did that. The two centre-backs did extremely well: Ibrahim and Christophe won everything in air.

"The two boys in midfield [Neill and Jonsson] were very disciplined," he continued. "Gary Tierney and Jason Thomson had very difficult jobs to do too when you consider they were up against Agathe and McGeady. We also had a spark from Deividas and Saul so there was plenty to be pleased about."

Hearts struggled to make too many clear cut chances, but as the coach pointed out, their challenge was stiffened by the presence of a first team backline. "With the defence they had in Virgo, Varga, Du Wei and Ross Wallace they have a lot of experience in there. We were not going to make chance after to chance," he admitted.

The defeat leaves Hearts in seventh place in the SPL Reserve League with Celtic leap-frogging the Tynecastle side into fifth spot.

Hearts: McDonald; Thompson, Tall, Berra, Tierney; Mikoliunas (Driver, 86), Neill, Jonsson, Cesnauskis; Mole, Elliot. Subs not used: Barjaktarevic, Hjalmar, Slater, Lithgow.

Celtic: Marshall, Virgo, Du Wei, Varga, Wallace; Agathe, Lawson, Pearson, McGeady; McGlinchey (Ferry, 79), Gardyne. Subs not used: Wood, Irvine, Mulgrew, Bjarnason.

Referee: Pat Rafferty