McManus backs Robbie Neilson as Celtic fans fume at ‘absolutely rattled’ jibe
Robbie Neilson’s post-match comments after his Hearts side lost to Celtic on Saturday (22 October) were correct.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Saturday’s (22 October) clash at Tynecastle.
Celtic beat Hearts 4-3 during a thrilling game in which the home side dominated for large periods.
After the match, Neilson told Sky Sports, “We went toe to toe, and we absolutely rattled Celtic today”.
McManus agrees with this assessment despite some Celtic fans being left bemused by the comments.
“I think they did, I think Hearts had Celtic rattled, completely,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“Hearts were so aggressive in their press, they got so close to Celtic and were putting proper tackles in.
“They didn’t let them play and I genuinely thought Hearts were the better team in the first half of that game and the first five minutes of the second half.
“I have been to Tynecastle, it’s a really intimidating place to go. There’s an atmosphere, the fans are right on top of you.
“Hearts used that to their advantage for the first 50 or 55 minutes. Then Celtic’s quality came through but I thought Hearts were really, really good.
“They did have them rattled for long periods so that isn’t wrong, what Neilson said. But Celtic won it in the end because that is what Champions do.”
The Hoops are next in action against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday (25 October).
They then return to league action against Livingston on Sunday (30 October).
In other news, one pundit can’t believe a new Celts and Rangers controversy after SPFL development.