Hearts 3-1 Celtic: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Coral's post-match review of Hearts 3-1 Celtic in the Premiership on Sunday, 26 October 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Hearts secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Celtic at home, extending their impressive run of form. The topmost result in Hearts' recent results is this match, showcasing their dominance with five consecutive wins. The game saw Hearts score early through an own goal and then add two more in quick succession in the second half, which ultimately sealed the win. This result might come as a surprise given Celtic's reputation, but Hearts' recent performances against strong opposition like Rangers and Hibs suggest they are in top form.

Celtic, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, suffering their third consecutive loss. The topmost result in Celtic's recent results is this defeat, highlighting a worrying trend. Despite taking the lead early in the game, Celtic couldn't hold on as Hearts fought back with determination. This loss ends any hopes of a winning streak for Celtic and raises questions about their current form and strategy.

The statistics from the match reveal a surprising outcome given Celtic's dominance in possession, holding 65% compared to Hearts' 35%. Despite this, Hearts managed to outscore Celtic and secure more corners, with 5 to Celtic's 9. Hearts' higher number of yellow cards (4 to Celtic's 1) indicates a more aggressive approach, which might have contributed to their success. The successful dribbles percentage was higher for Hearts at 57%, suggesting they were more effective in breaking down Celtic's defence.

The game's momentum shifted early when Hearts benefited from an own goal in the 8th minute, setting the tone for the match. This early lead was crucial, as it forced Celtic to chase the game. Hearts then solidified their lead in the second half with a goal in the 52nd minute, followed by a penalty in the 55th minute, showcasing their clinical finishing. These quick goals in the second half were pivotal, as they effectively put the game out of Celtic's reach.

Celtic's only goal came in the 12th minute, briefly putting them in the lead. However, this lead was short-lived as Hearts quickly equalised and then took control of the match. The inability to capitalise on their early advantage and the subsequent goals conceded highlight Celtic's defensive frailties. This sequence of events underscores the importance of maintaining focus and composure throughout the match.

Hearts lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Alexander Schwolow in goal and a solid defensive line of Oisin McEntee, Craig Halkett, Stuart Findlay, and Stephen Kingsley. The midfield was anchored by Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime, with Alexandros Kyziridis providing support. Up front, Lawrence Shankland and Cláudio Braga led the attack. The impact of the substitutions was notable, with five changes made throughout the game, suggesting a tactical flexibility that contributed to their success.

Celtic opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Kasper Schmeichel between the posts and a backline of C. Donovan, Dane Murray, Liam Scales, and Kieran Tierney. The midfield trio of Arne Engels, Callum McGregor, and Reo Hatate aimed to control the game, while Benjamin Nygren, Johnny Kenny, and Sebastian Tounekti led the attack. Despite making four substitutions, Celtic struggled to regain control after falling behind, indicating that the initial lineup and strategy may not have been effective against Hearts' tactics.

Lawrence Shankland is Coral's Man of the Match for his pivotal role in Hearts' victory. Scoring one goal and making one key pass, Shankland's contribution was crucial in securing the win. His ability to find the back of the net and influence the game's outcome highlights his importance to the team, making him a deserving recipient of this accolade.

Recent Premiership matches:

• Win: 3-1 vs Celtic (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Kilmarnock (A)
• Win: 1-0 vs Hibernian (H)
• Win: 3-0 vs Falkirk (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs Rangers (A)

Recent Premiership matches:

• Loss: 1-3 vs Hearts (A)
• Loss: 0-2 vs Dundee (A)
• Win: 3-2 vs Motherwell (H)

Sitting atop the league with 25 points, Hearts will face St. Mirren, who are in 9th place with 9 points, on October 29, 2025 at 19:45. This result against Celtic will boost their confidence as they approach this match, likely encouraging them to maintain their aggressive and clinical style of play.

With 17 points, Celtic find themselves in 2nd place and will take on Falkirk, who are in 6th with 12 points, on October 29, 2025 at 19:45. This loss to Hearts may prompt Celtic to reassess their strategy and focus on tightening their defence to prevent further setbacks.

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