Driver puts Celtic title hopes into reverse

Celtic were forced to work hard for a point against Hearts as a late Stephen McManus strike secured a 1-1 draw at Parkhead on Saturday.

Hearts, who hadn't played since their 2-1 victory over Rangers at Tynecastle, looked the hungrier side as they aimed to continue their five-game winning run in the league.

An Andrew Driver first-half strike looked to have the Jambos on their way to back-to-back victories over the Old Firm but McManus popped up with 11 minutes remaining to secure a point and keep Celtic's four point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Earlier in the day Rangers missed a chance to reduce the gap at the top as their poor away form continued as they drew 2-2 with Dundee United in a thrilling match at Tannadice.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said it had been a poor first-half from his side.

“We were too predictable in the first-half and it was probably one of our worst performances in a long time,” Strachan said.

“We must be happy with a point today after the first 45 minutes and the players did well to drag themselves back into the game.”

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo said he was disappointed with a point.

“I am happy with my team and their performance as they worked hard and were focussed,” Laszlo said.

“In the second-half they lost a bit of their shape but I think after the Rangers game and now today we have shown we can play good football.”

Hearts players looked up for the challenge of keeping their impressive winning run going and it took just 56 seconds for Robbie Neilson to find his name in the book for a late challenge on Aiden McGeady.

The Jambos had the first chance of the match in the 18th minute when the ball broke to Marius Zaliukas from a Hearts corner and the Lithuanian's shot whistled past the post with Artur Boruc stretching.

Hearts took the lead in the 23rd minute through Driver. Laryea Kingston showed some good skill at the edge of the box before slicing a shot which ended up at the feet of Driver.

The Englishman then took a touch before dispatching it past Boruc to score his third of the season.

Driver should have doubled Hearts lead in the 36th minute. He quickly broke down the left-wing and drove into the box before unleashing a low angled shot across Boruc's goal which the Polish keeper did well to push round the post.

Celtic survived a scare in the 57th minute when Boruc flapped at a Bruno Augiar corner and dropped it at the feet Christos Karipidis but his volley smashed off a Celtic defender and was cleared.

It took until the 72nd minute for Celtic to have their first shot on target when Lee Naylor, on for Mark Wilson, had an effort from distance but his weak shot was easily collected by Balogh.

Celtic equalised seven minutes later through captain Stephen McManus. A Shunsuke Nakamura cross from the right was knocked on at the far post by Samaras to McManus who headed past the helpless keeper.

The home side piled forward to try and find the winner and Scott McDonald came close with a fierce angled drive from the right-hand-side of the box which bounced just past the post.

In the early kick-off at Tannadice Rangers took the lead after 11 minutes when Kris Boyd scored with a neat finish from the edge of the box. But goals from Lee Wilkie and Warren Feeney in four frantic second-half minutes put United ahead.

Substitute Kyle Lafferty salvaged a point for Rangers with 15 minutes remaining with an angled drive past Lukasz Zaluska.

At Pittodrie a Lee Miller double secured a 2-1 win for Aberdeen over Falkirk.

Derek Riordan and Rob Jones got the three points for Hibernian in a 2-0 win over Hamilton.

Andy Dorman and Garry Brady scored as St Mirren defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-0 at Love Street.