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Claudio Braga’s late equalizer scottish premier league leader red heart Ten men drew 2-2 at home celtics maintain They are six points ahead of the champions.
In this winless game, the Hoops took the lead twice with goals from Benjamin Nygren and Yang Xianjun.
But they were leveled by a Stuart Findley header and a goal from Braga, with Celtic defender Auston Trusty sent off in the 77th minute.
An exciting Tynecastle deadlock put Rangers ahead of Martin O’Neill’s side and within four points of Jambos in the three-way title race.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes was unable to field key trio Laurence Shankland, Beni Baningim and Kami Devlin, making five changes to his starting XI from last weekend’s Scottish Cup defeat to Falkirk.
scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon Replacement Alexander Schwolow was reinstated, while former Jambos Academy student Marc Leonard made his debut after joining on loan from Birmingham City.
Gordon, 43, played for Hearts when O’Neill was in charge of Tynecastle some 21 years ago.
Celtics make three adjustments from the start Thursday’s Europa League draw with Bologna 2-2 away, New striker Thomas Kavankara, on loan from Monchengladbach, came straight into the game.
The visiting team got off to a perfect start in the 7th minute when Nygren fired a beautiful free kick from 20 yards beyond Gordon’s left hand. It was the first time Parkhead had scored directly from a free kick since 2021.
Home manager McGuinness rushed to the Celtic technical area, visibly angry at the celebrations of the Hoops backroom staff.
Hearts responded well and Braga and Alessandro Kiziridis had great equalizing chances but they were blocked by Kasper Schmeichel and Edinburgh borne much of the first half pressure.
The home side maintained their lead after the break and equalized within three minutes of the restart when Findlay headed home from Leonard’s corner at the back post.
Hearts looked set to take the lead in the 54th minute when Kygiridis broke free in the box, but Liam Scales produced a fine save on the counterattack.
Celtic had provided little attacking force since the early goal but were reminded of their threat when Chivankara hit the woodwork with a curling header.
The champions duly restored their lead two minutes later when Chivankara broke down the left and fired a tempting pass for the onrushing Young, who fired home from a few yards out.
Shortly after Kieran Tierney limped off injured, Celtic were reduced to 10 men for the second consecutive game and after a VAR check Trusty was ruled to have fouled Pierre Landry Kabore as he attempted to receive a direct ball, thus denying him a scoring chance.
Hearts brought an extra man into play in the 87th minute when substitute Oisin McEntee headed Harry Milne’s free-kick past Braga, who scored from eight yards.
PA