Hearts hold Hoops - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Hearts hold Hoops

Celtic failed to build on their perfect start at Hearts as Bruno Aguiar's spectacular free-kick earned the Jambos a 1-1 draw and dealt a blow to the Hoops Clydesdale Bank Premier League title hopes.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink took less than 30 seconds to continue his scoring spree when Janos Balogh fumbled his volley into the net.

But Aguiar curled home from 30 yards just after the half-hour mark and Celtic failed to reassert their control apart from a late flurry.

Celtic got off to an incredible start when Vennegoor of Hesselink volleyed home his third goal in eight days. And how the Dutchman must have wished for the goalkeeping that met his strike when he was going through his six-month barren spell.

Balogh got down two hands to the striker's volley but fumbled it into the corner.

The hosts responded positively and forced a succession of corners, one of which led to Marius Zaliukas heading over from six yards after Ruben Palazuelos had lofted the ball in.

Gary Caldwell released Vennegoor of Hesselink but the Dutchman fired beyond the far post from a difficult angle. The Holland international then got his head to Lee Naylor's near-post corner but the ball bounced off the outside of the goal frame.

Celtic were looking comfortable but Aguiar hit a spectacular equaliser in the 32nd minute.

Michael Stewart won a foul 30 yards out after pipping Caldwell to the ball and Aguiar curled the free-kick over the wall and into the corner with Artur Boruc well beaten.

As Celtic looked for the win late on Shunsuke Nakamura's curling effort was forced just wide by a brilliant block from Zaliukas after Naylor had set up his team-mate 16 yards out. And substitute Koki Mizuno blasted wide after a long throw fell perfectly for him 12 yards out.

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