Claudio Braga scores for Hearts against CelticSNS

Claudio Braga's 13th goal of the season brought Hearts level late on

At a glance

  • Nygren's free-kick gives Celtic lead, but Findlay heads Hearts level

  • Yang slots Celtic back in front, but Celtic's Trusty sent off

  • Braga equalises to keep leaders Hearts six points ahead of Celtic, with Rangers now four behind

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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25/01/2026

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Claudio Braga rescued a point for Hearts with a late equaliser as they fought out a thrilling draw with 10-man Celtic that leaves the Scottish Premiership leaders still six points clear of the reigning champions.

Benjamin Nygren's free-kick gave Celtic an early lead and, although Stuart Findlay headed a deserved equaliser, Yang Hyun-jun's goal on the break looked destined to give the Glasgow side their first win over Hearts in three meetings this season.

But centre-half Auston Trusty was sent off for what was deemed a last-man challenge on Pierre Landry Kabore with 13 minutes left.

And Braga fired home inside a crowded goalmouth to level with four minutes of normal time remaining to leave Hearts four points clear at the top of the table after Rangers overtook Celtic into second by beating Dundee.

Celtic had to play an hour with 10 men in Thursday's Europa League draw in Bologna but started energetically and had already had a sniff at goal by the time they took an early lead, Liam Scales heading straight at Craig Gordon from a Kieran Tierney corner.

However, the former Celtic goalkeeper had no chance moments later.

Marc Leonard, making his debut in midfield on loan from Birmingham City, looked a yard off the pace as he hauled down Nygren on the edge of the penalty box and the Sweden winger curled the free-kick over the wall and past Gordon.

Hearts had a chance to strike back almost immediately, but Braga's low drive was too close to goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with the forward in behind Scales.

It was Schmeichel to the rescue again when Trusty made a mess of a passback and, with Alexandros Kyziridis one-one-one with the goalkeeper, the Dane blocked the winger's low drive.

Hearts had looked shellshocked after that early goal but spent the last 20 minutes of the first half camped in Celtic's half in a game full of intensity, thunderous challenges, high balls and little flowing football.

The momentum continued in the hosts' favour immediately after the break as Leonard's corner to the back post was headed down by Findlay past Schmeichel.

New Celtic signing Tomas Cvancara was having a quiet debut, but the on-loan Borussia Monchengladbach striker burst into life with a looping header off the crossbar.

Moments later, he burst clear and his low cross into the six-yard box was slotted home by Yang.

Just when it looked like the pendulum was swinging in Celtic's favour, a video assistant referee (VAR) check turned Trusty's yellow card into red.

And, although Schmeichel saved from point-blank range to deny Braga, the forward made no mistake moments later to rescue a point for the hosts, who were then denied victory despite late pressure as Blair Spittal's shot bounced off the crossbar.

Analysis: Both sides can take positives

Match graphic

It was an afternoon of twists and turns in what is becoming a fascinating three-pronged fight for the title.

Martin O'Neill was denied an eighth straight league win during his two spells as interim Celtic manager this season, the latest four since he took over from Wilfried Nancy.

But both he and Hearts head coach Derek McInnes might be happy to settle for a point.

Hearts had to cope with the loss through injury or suspension of three of their key performers - captain Lawrence Shankland and midfield dynamos Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime.

They ran out of time to introduce their newly-signed striker, Rogers Mato, but handed Leonard a debut two days after his arrival.

Celtic also rushed in their latest signing, the experienced Cvancara, to plug their long-standing deficiencies up front with Kelechi Iheanacho having not recovered from injury in time to even make the bench.

Both debutants initially looked caught out by the frantic nature of the Premiership in a game that tested the depth of each squad to the limit.

Hearts had been been looking to recover from last weekend's Scottish Cup loss to Falkirk but have now failed to win in two successive home games and missed a chance to move nine points clear of the champions.

Celtic, meanwhile, find themselves in a rare third place at this stage of the season.

Rangers have quietly introduced themselves into the mix after their recovery since Danny Rohl became head coach.

However, Celtic remain unbeaten in six outings under O'Neill, while Hearts have again shown they can compete with the Old Firm favourites.

It is still all to play for.

What they said

Hearts 'disappointed' to only draw with Celtic

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "On chances created and overall territory, it felt like we were the better team and were the more likely to win it.

"The game played out the way we wanted. We unsettled Celtic, but we missed chances.

"We are a wee bit disappointed that we did not take all three points. Most teams would have been happy with a point against a team like Celtic, but we rattled them."

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill: "It was a tough game - we knew it would be. Hearts are up there in the league because they are a very fine side, but we fought magnificently again.

"It is not a red card. It is gone now, but it played a massive part. I've seen it back and I have to say I don't see it."

'It is not a red card' - O'Neill

What's next?

Hearts visit Dundee United in the Premiership on Saturday, 31 January (20:00 GMT).

Celtic host Utrecht in the Europa League on Thursday (20:00) before Falkirk visit on league duty on Sunday, 1 February (15:00).

Player of the match

Cláudio Braga
6.70
10 Cláudio Braga
6.70
19 S. Findlay
6.70
1 C. Gordon
6.56
4 C. Halkett
6.54
22 T. Magnússon
6.43
49 M. Leonard
6.35
18 H. Milne
6.34
89 A. Kyziridis
6.22
31 O. McEntee
6.09
5 J. McCart
5.92
11 P. Kaboré
5.86
15 M. Steinwender
5.75
29 S. Kerjota
5.71
21 J. Wilson
5.56
16 B. Spittal
5.54
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