Hearts Shock Celtic with Last-Minute Equalizer in Thrilling 2-2 Stalemate

You know, nothing quite grabs the pulse of Scottish football like a showdown at Tynecastle Park — and Sunday’s clash between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian was no exception. The Bhoys had a golden ticket to tighten the race for the Premiership crown but, boy, did fate intervene when Claudio Braga snatched a last-gasp equalizer to seal a 2-2 stalemate. That goal didn’t just knick the game; it kept Hearts perched firmly six points ahead, leaving Celtic licking their wounds and Rangers sneaking up fast in second with a slick 3-0 victory over Dundee. Considering all the managerial upheavals Celtic has weathered this season — Brendan Rodgers out, Wilfried Nancy shown the door, and now Martin O’Neill stepping in once again — it’s a testament to their grit that they’re still hanging tough in this topsy-turvy title chase. Drama, tension, and a dash of controversy with that red card thrown in… It’s Scottish football in full swing, folks.
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EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Celtic missed its chance to close the gap on Heart of Midlothian on Sunday after conceding late to draw 2-2 with the Scottish Premiership leader.

Claudio Braga’s 87th-minute goal at Tynecastle Park leveled the game and kept first-place Hearts six points clear of the defending champion.

But the draw saw Rangers move up to second and within four points of Hearts with a 3-0 win against Dundee.

Hearts is the surprise leader in Scotland in a league that has long been dominated by Celtic and Rangers.

Celtic has lost two managers already this term — following the departure of Brendan Rodgers and the dismissal of Wilfried Nancy — and is being led by club icon Martin O’Neill on an interim basis for the second time this season.

Yet it remains in contention at the top and looked to pick up a vital win at Hearts when Yang Hyun-jun opened up a 2-1 lead in the 62nd.

But the visitors went down to 10 men when Auston Trusty was sent off 15 minutes later.

Hearts eventually made the numerical advantage count with Braga’s equalizer.

Celtic had taken an early lead through Benjamin Nygren, but Stuart Findlay made it 1-1 just after halftime.

James Tavernier, Danilo and Djeidi Gassama struck in Rangers’ win against Dundee at Ibrox, with two of those goals coming in time added on.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer