Hearts missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celtic at Tynecastle. The hosts fought back twice, with Cláudio Braga scoring a late equaliser, but could not capitalise on Auston Trusty's red card to secure victory. Rangers closed the gap to four points with a win elsewhere.
Celtic took the lead through Benjamin Nygren's free-kick after Marc Leonard fouled the winger on the edge of the box. Hearts responded before half-time when Stuart Findlay headed in from a corner. Celtic regained the advantage when Tomas Cvancara set up Yang Hyun-jun for a close-range finish after a swift counterattack.
Hearts pressed for an equaliser and were aided by Trusty's dismissal for a professional foul on Pierre Landry Kaboré in the 69th minute. The hosts pushed forward but wasted several chances, with Alexandros Kyziridis missing two clear opportunities. Braga finally levelled with four minutes remaining, lashing home from a crowded box after Oisin McEntee headed down a free-kick.
Blair Spittal almost snatched victory for Hearts in stoppage time, but his rising drive kissed the top of the crossbar. Hearts manager Derek McInnes expressed disappointment despite the point: 'It’s not the worst point when you come from behind twice but I still feel there was something more out there for us. The fact there’s a disappointed dressing room in there illustrates how far we’ve come.'
The match saw debutants Marc Leonard for Hearts and Tomas Cvancara for Celtic, and featured heated moments between coaching staff. McInnes downplayed a touchline altercation, saying: 'One of their inexperienced coaches got a bit carried away and that’s all I’m going to say.'
