NOVPUB[24]
Following Edouard’s trying to strike heaven, Heart’s quickly stabilised their form. Immediately they began to fight back gaining some presence in the game as if they had woken up from a fog. Their earlier form from before the interruption seemed to have returned as they became active.
Possession of the ball instantly became equal between both parties with Celtic only having a slight edge over the hearts players. Despite this they were unable to comfortably break into the Hearts final third. It was in the [27] minute when Celtic found themselves in a tricky situation.
McGregor played a quick one two with Scott escaping the guard of Haring. Dribbling forward with gusto he quickly crossed the halfway line looking to initiate an attack. Not hesitating he sent a crisp pass towards the waiting feet of Rogic a couple yard to his left.
The Celtic playmaker calmly took control of the ball, but he miscalculated when he turned to the right. Waiting for him was Edwards who didn’t hesitate in challenging for the ball. Send Rogic tumbling to the ground calling for a freekick he didn’t hesitate in passing the ball forward.
It proved to be a wise decision as William Callum Todays referee didn’t see anything wrong with his challenge and motioned for play to continue. Clare received the ball just past the halfway line turning with its momentum as he charged forward. Accelerating he quickly picked up speed trying to cross the middle third of the pitch as quickly as possible.
Johnston stepped up to meet him, but he performed a simple one-two with Haring to circumvent him as he continued to pick up speed. Running another 3 yards he came to a sudden stop as Mcgregor came sliding in with vicious efficiency. Lifting the ball above the Celtic 42 he continued his run officially entering the final third.
The hearts fans watching him go were already on their feet already seeing themselves scoring from this opportunity. It was also at this point that Clare finally looked up scanning for his striker to play in. He didn’t have to look long as he spotted MacLean angling a run into the box left side of the box making sure to keep him in his field of vision.
Making eye contact with him he didn’t hesitate sending a swift pass into the box with the outside of his right foot. Like a knife cutting through butter the ball curved along the ground splitting the defenders that tried to get in its way. Almost as if it had a homing beacon the ball arrived perfectly int the feet of MacLean the moment he entered the box.
Not hesitating he dribbled forward creating slight separation from Simunovic as he charged into the box trying to get a better angle from Bain who was already just a meter in front of him. The keeper had sensed the danger and charged off his five yard line the moment Clare released the pass instinctively knowing who it was going too.
Seeing MacLean moving to his left he didn’t hesitate in spreading his arms wide and pouncing on the ball, trying to kill the danger in the cradle. Panicked at the keepers pounce Maclean acted on instinct and nudged the ball further to his right trying to manoeuvre past Bain. Although he succeeded what met him next was his world spinning as he was taken to the ground by the keeper who couldn’t stop mid jump.
(Fweeet) Sir Callum didn’t need to see more before he blowing his whistle and pointed to the spot. "BOOOOO" he was instantly meet with deafening boos from the Glasgow greens who didn’t hesitate in letting their feelings be known. 𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑝𝘶𝘣.𝑐𝘰𝘮
What they say about alcohol giving a man 10 times the courage proved to be true, as people who were pillar of their community found themselves screaming profanities. Most of them didn’t even know what or why they were saying what they were saying. They were simply displeased and needed an outlet which came in the form of calling the ref a Wanker, MF, Bas**rd, Pu**y, and much more. The highly intoxicated ones even called out the ref for a square go trying to let their fist do the talking.
(AN: Square go is the Scottish version of Square up or put them hands up. Simply put I don’t like what you said or did and I want to give you a chance to put your hand’s up before I beat your ass.)
Whilst the fans were trying to intimidate the ref into changing his call, the Celtic players surround the man trying to plead their case. However, the stoic Callum was having none of it as he continued marching towards Bain and reached for his pocket. Seeing this Scott put his hand on the man’s trying to stop him from pulling it out his book.
"Is that necessary that Willi, it’s an accident in the heat of the moment," He jokingly told him trying to calm him down not wanting to get his keeper booked on top of a penalty. "C’mon Scott you know I like you but I gotta book him still," He responded with a slight smile before stepping past him and raising a yellow card at Bain who was dusting himself off from the collision.
MacLean had already jumped up from the ground seeing no reason to milk thing when he already received his deserved penalty. Without further ado Bain was booked for his dangerous challenge becoming the first player to enter the officials books. Ref Callum had to spend an extra few minutes to clear up the scene before MacLean once again stood in the Celtic Box face to face with Bain.
The stadium got really quiet at that moment as every pair of eyes was focused on the two engaged in a standoff. (Fweet) Following the refs whistle the striker took a deep breath his gaze still locked with Bain trying to read him. An extra moment is all he needed before taking a curved run quickly closing in on the ball before letting loose a powerful shot.
"Oh, looks like he’s going for power," Roy found himself exclaiming as he watched the ball rocket towards the top right side of the goal. Bain guessed correct diving towards his left leaping into the air trying to reach the ball. However, there was just too much power in the shot, and it rocketed past him piercing the top right corner.
"He goes for power and dose not disappoint putting his team in the lead in a thunderous way, The score now read’s Hearts 1 and Celtic 0." Callum exclaimed as the stadium erupted in the triumphant cheers of the Hearts fans celebrating their lead. The Celtic half of the stadium instantly fell into despair not believing what they were witnessing.
However, no matter how much they wanted it to be a dream they were left disappointed and had to accept reality. Especially seeing the cheerful faces of the hearts players celebrating at the corner flag. "In the words of my grandmother when you play with your food you can expect it to be snatched away." Roy commented with light hearted tone as he started to analyse the build-up that led to Heart’s going ahead.
"They had every possibility to go ahead with Edouard in particular squandering two great chances. They have no one but themselves to blame for this." Callum mercilessly commented not willing to make any excuses for his side who had been less than their usual clinical self in the front court.
"Sigh you can’t score them all," Roy commented trying to lighten the mood as the match was set to restart with Edouard standing over the ball at the centre of the field.
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To Be continued...
