Celtic begin title defence with victory
Debutant Scott Sinclair snatched a late winner as Celtic began their bid for a sixth straight Premiership title with victory against Hearts at Tynecastle.
The champions led via James Forrest's controversial opener - Stuart Armstrong appeared to be standing offside in front of Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton.
Hearts equalised with a dubious Jamie Walker penalty, the winger falling without contact with Kieran Tierney.
Sinclair appeared on the hour, tapping home Leigh Griffiths' cross late on.
The winger had only completed his £4.5m move from Aston Villa earlier on Sunday, but made an instant impact with nine minutes left.
Victory preserved Celtic's unbeaten run in opening-day fixtures stretching back to 1997, and extended Hearts' winless run against the champions since October 2011.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Hearts
- 1Hamilton
- 3Rherras
- 4RossiBooked at 50mins
- 14Souttar
- 2PatersonBooked at 55mins
- 7WalkerBooked at 36mins
- 10Sutchuin-DjoumBooked at 18mins
- 15CowieBooked at 76mins
- 11Nicholson
- 32WattBooked at 29minsSubstituted forMuirheadat 61'minutes
- 18SammonBooked at 11minsSubstituted forBuabenat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Buaben
- 13Noring
- 17Oshaniwa
- 23Muirhead
- 24Smith
- 26Zanatta
- 35Paton
Celtic
- 1GordonBooked at 35mins
- 63Tierney
- 34O'ConnellSubstituted forRogicat 73'minutes
- 2K Touré
- 23Lustig
- 42McGregor
- 14ArmstrongSubstituted forSinclairat 61'minutesBooked at 81mins
- 8BrownBooked at 78mins
- 49Forrest
- 9GriffithsSubstituted forJankoat 83'minutes
- 10DembeleBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 3Izaguirre
- 7Ciftci
- 11Sinclair
- 18Rogic
- 22Janko
- 25Johansen
- 38Fasan
- Referee:
- John Beaton
- Attendance:
- 16,777
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away5
- Corners
- Home5
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away13
Live Text
Match ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 2.
Full Time
Second Half ends, Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 2.
Foul by Arnaud Djoum (Heart of Midlothian).
Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left.
Booking
Moussa Dembele (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
Prince Buaben (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
Foul by John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian).
Tomas Rogic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Don Cowie (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Hand ball by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.
Attempt missed. Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from the left side of the box is just a bit too high.
Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Saidy Janko replaces Leigh Griffiths.
Foul by Arnaud Djoum (Heart of Midlothian).
Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Scott Sinclair (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal!
Goal! Heart of Midlothian 1, Celtic 2. Scott Sinclair (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Leigh Griffiths.
Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Kolo Touré.
Don Cowie (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
Igor Rossi (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Moussa Dembele (Celtic).
Substitution
Substitution, Heart of Midlothian. Prince Buaben replaces Conor Sammon.
Booking
Scott Brown (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Don Cowie (Heart of Midlothian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Don Cowie (Heart of Midlothian).
Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Jamie Walker (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Kieran Tierney (Celtic).
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Eoghan O'Connell.
Attempt missed. Robbie Muirhead (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Kolo Touré.
Foul by Igor Rossi (Heart of Midlothian).
Moussa Dembele (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt saved. John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.