Celtic take back the advantage

Scottish Premier League/Hearts 1 Celtic 2: Celtic moved to within touching distance of the Premier League title with this hard-earned and fiercely controversial victory over Hearts.

Tynecastle, the scene of a huge furore a few weeks ago when Rangers won here courtesy of a dubious injury-time penalty, was again the venue for serious discussion after the home team were refused a spot-kick in the last minute. To compound their anger, Hearts had captain Steven Pressley sent off after his dive in the penalty area led to a second yellow card.

The decision by the referee Willie Young had ramifications far beyond this pulsating game. The victory re-established Celtic's two-point lead at the top of the table with only one game remaining while a draw would have left the Parkhead team behind rivals Rangers on goal difference.

Now Celtic are firm favourites to lift the championship for their final outing is against injury-stricken Motherwell at Fir Park, while Rangers visit a Hibernian side who need to avoid defeat to make sure of a Uefa Cup place.

Celtic substitute Craig Beattie was the crucial figure, scoring the 77th-minute winner that sent Martin O'Neill scampering halfway down the line in celebration and then escaping censure for his clumsy challenge on Pressley.

"It wasn't a penalty and that's all there is to it," said Beattie. "Why are we making this such an unbelievable issue? If it had been given it would have been harsh. I'm not sure how much contact there was, but it might be a pivotal moment in the season."

Pressley, jointly in charge of Hearts with the youth coach John McGlynn following this week's sacking of John Robertson as manager, was the epitome of diplomacy.

"Obviously I thought it was a penalty, but it was a big decision and if the referee isn't 100 per cent sure he can't give it. Willie Young, who is due to retire now, is a first-class official and has my utmost respect as a referee and a person."

In the end, Beattie's late goal was the key, coming just six minutes after Paul Hartley, a Celtic transfer target in January, had threatened to put a serious dent in his boyhood heroes' championship hopes with a smartly taken equaliser.

Alan Thompson had given the visitors the lead in the 25th minute with the help of a wicked deflection off Robbie Neilson.

On Saturday, Rangers enjoyed a stroll in the summer sunshine to make sure the title will be decided on the final day. Thomas Buffel and Shota Arveladze both struck twice to inflict a 4-1 defeat on a painfully inexperienced Motherwell side.

HEARTS: Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Wallace, Mikoliunas (McGeown 72), MacFarlane (Simmons 72), Hartley, Hamill, Miller, Weir (Thorarinsson 81). Subs not used: Moilanen, Wyness, Stewart, Sives. Sent off: Pressley (90). Booked: Mikoliunas, Hartley, Pressley. Goal: Hartley 71.

CELTIC: Douglas, Agathe, Balde, Varga, McNamara, Petrov, Lennon, Sutton, Thompson, Bellamy, Hartson (Beattie 66). Subs not used: Marshall, Valgaeren, Lambert, Laursen, Maloney, McGeady. Booked: Sutton, Balde, Thompson, Bellamy. Goal: Thompson 25, Beattie 77.

Referee: W Young (Scotland).