Craig Levein has claimed that his side scored two own goals during Hearts’ 3-1 defeat to Celtic.
There was confusion as to who turned the Hoops’ first goal into the net. It was either Celtic man Vakoun Issouf Bayo or Jambos skipper Christophe Berra.
Bayo’s second goal was also a contentious one, with an argument to be made for that being Craig Halkett’s own goal.
Levein has addressed the confusion, insisting it was his side that turned the ball into the net twice.
He told the Scottish Sun: “We gifted them a couple of goals and the frustrating thing for me is they had five chances and scored three goals.
“Normally if you come here and only give up five chances you don’t expect to lose three goals. It’s an own goal and Craig Halkett has scored the third one so that’s an own goal as well. I’ve got to look at ourselves and it’s difficult.”
Confusion surrounds this but Hearts boss Levein is incorrect
There are contrasting reports surrounding these two goals. Whilst the Hearts website claim it was two own goals, the BBC claim it was two goals for Bayo.
Video replays do little to help resolve the matter (BBC). A bit of indecision from Hearts stopper Joel Pereira allowed Bayo to attack the ball, but whether it came off him or Berra before hitting the net is questionable.
You’d probably give the Ivorian the benefit of the doubt for that first one. Again the second goal replays don’t make it very clear as to whether it was actually Halkett who got the final touch.
It does look as if Halkett is just beaten to the ball by the Hoops forward. Not by much, but Bayo’s leg just about reaches it before the ex-Livi stopper.
These two goals will be the subject of debate, but how they went in doesn’t matter. The scoreline remains the same and it doesn’t take away from the fact Hearts were poor at Parkhead.
Levein may have got this one wrong, but he’ll be more concerned about improving his side’s performance and working towards their first league win of the season.