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Hearts Draw with Celtic After Controversial Red Card

BBC Sport •
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Hearts rescued a dramatic 2-2 draw with 10-man Celtic at Tynecastle, keeping their six-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership. A controversial red card for Auston Trusty proved pivotal, with Celtic boss Martin O'Neill insisting it "played a massive part" in the result. Hearts manager Derek McInnes felt his side should have won after a dominant performance.

Hearts' statistics backed their claim to superiority, with more shots, a higher expected goals rating, and 31 touches in Celtic's box. Their set-piece prowess shone again, scoring both goals from dead-ball situations. Celtic, uncharacteristically, had just 45% possession, a rare statistic for the dominant champions.

The debate will rage over Trusty's dismissal for denying Pierre Landry Kabore a goalscoring opportunity. While O'Neill and some pundits called it harsh, others felt it was correct. The result keeps Hearts six clear of Celtic, with Rangers now just four points behind the leaders as the title race intensifies.