Hearts vs Celtic. Viaplay Cup Group D.
TynecastleAttendance11,598.
Thursday 29 October 2015 14:50, UK
Celtic are through to the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup after a 2-1 win at Hearts thanks to goals from Leigh Griffiths and Tom Rogic.
Hearts scored a late consolation deep into added-on time through Arnaud Djoum, but it was not enough to stop the holders from progressing to the last four.
Much of the pre-match talk centred around a training-ground incident which saw Emilio Izaguirre require hospital treatment after a clash with Nadir Ciftci.
And Celtic's players also had to contend with more disruption immediately before kick-off when captain Scott Brown and Gary MacKay-Steven limped out of the warm-up.
The visitors had a lot of early pressure, Brown's replacement James Forrest having a shot cleared off the line and Griffiths flashed a header wide.
Hearts' supporters thought their side had taken the lead just after the hour-mark, Jordan McGhee's free-kick finding its way to Osman Sow, but his short-range finish was ruled out for offside.
The deadlock was finally broken on 71 minutes, and in some style. Griffiths' solo run took him into the area, before a cool finish past Neil Alexander.
The visitors put the game beyond doubt eight minutes from time. Griffiths turned provider after his terrific play down the right resulted in Forrest's replacement Tom Rogic applying the finish with a clever back-heel.
Hearts did manage a consolation goal deep into stoppage time when Djoum headed in Jamie Walker's corner, but there was little time to launch a sterling comeback.
Celtic join Ross County and St Johnstone in the semi-final draw, which will take place on November 9 after next week's final quarter-final between Hibernian and Dundee United. Ties will be played on the weekend of January 30/31.
