Celtic came into this game having turned the corner and shored up a leaky defense that had been seen earlier in the season. Hearts still led the table and indeed looked like they would go on to win the League but it was still tight with both Dundee Utd and Aberdeen still in the frame.
The previous games had seen a run of draws and wins for the Bhoys with the last defeat back in early January away at Tannadice to Dundee Utd. To Davie Hay and the team this game was as important as a one-off Cup game and it was taken extremely seriously, the players decamping to Seamills Hydro on the Friday prior to the game.
Derek Whyte, the young 17 year old with the Youth squad at Celtic, was in the squad and he was told by Davie Hay on the morning of the game that he would be playing - and at left back. This would allow Tommy Burns to be moved into his more accustomed role in midfield.
Pat Bonner was still out injured with a back problem so Latchford continued in goal for the Bhoys. Paul McGugan, fit again after breaking a bone in his foot in the Old Firm game at the turn of the year, was restored to the team as a central defender. Paul McStay was out recovering from 'flu and Mark McGhee took the number 8 spot in central midfield.

Celtic:
Latchford, W McStay, McGrain, Aitken, McGugan, MacLeod, McClair, Mcghee, Johnston, Whyte, Burns.
Celtic Sub: Shepherd for McGhee
Non-Used Sub: Ronnie Coyle

Hearts:
Smith, Kidd, Black, W Jardine, Berry, Levein, Colquhoun, I Jardine, Clark, G Mackay, Robertson
Hearts Sub: W MacKay for Robertson
Non Used Sub: ?

Scorers:
Celtic: Johnston, 31
Hearts: Robertson, 45

Attendance: 45,346 - second highest attendance in the UK that weekend (only beaten by the Liverpool derby)

Referee: Ferguson

Report:
The game started at a frenetic pace with both sides going at it hammer-and-tongs. Wille McStay switched from full back to sweeper as the game went on, Within the first 10 minutes Whyte was bookeded for an over-zealous tackle on Colquhoun and spent the rest of the game being extra careful whilst at the same time putting in brave, well-timed tackles and getting the ball forward quickly to the midfield.