By Luciano Zecchino

Wednesday October 28th, midweek Premiership matchday, under the lights across the country. Celtic had a huge opportunity to widen the gap at the top even more, as Rangers had a tough test at Tynecastle against Hearts.

Celtic welcomed Dundee United to Celtic Park in hope of a strong performance to pile the pressure on Derek McInnes’ Rangers. Dundee United, coming into the game on a strong run of form, unbeaten in their previous five fixtures, also on the back of an impressive 3-2 victory over Aberdeen. Celtic's domestic form cannot be faulted, top of the league, four points clear of their bitter rivals Rangers, despite losing the opening domestic derby of the season at Parkhead.

As the game got underway in Glasgow's Eastend, it was Martin O'Neill's side that began on the front foot, testing the resilience and character of the United defence. Celtic created some half chances, as they worked around the defensive penalty area, with the likes of Kieran Tierney providing some searching balls into the danger area with Kasper Hogh striding to get on the end of.

As the game entered minute 17, a standing ovation got underway around Celtic Park, paying respects to a young 17-year-old that sadly passed away a week earlier. To top that respectful and united Scottish football moment off, Kasper Hogh found himself a chance in the box, cushioning it onto Camilo Duran, who found the back of the net to fire Celtic ahead.

A well needed lead for Celtic, but the reaction of the away side was relentless. Rangers' loanee, Lyall Cameron, fired a thunderbolt into the box, where Australian international Zachary Sapsford won the flick on finding the far bottom corner to level things up. A blip for Celtic, which they had to react to.

Celtic's response to Sapsford's equaliser wasn't as strong as fans hoped for, as The Hoops remained on the back foot. Three minutes later, a free kick from range found itself bobbling in the Celtic penalty area, as Celtic failed to get it clear, the final nick came off Neil Farrugia, who poked it home turning the game on its head.

Celtic went into the break behind, with discontent flowing around Parkhead. As we got underway for this second period, Dundee United remained resilient and compact defensively.

Celtic continued to knock on the door of Jim Goodwin's backline, as a searching cross by Jota found the head of Liam Scales, firing Celtic back on level terms. As the champions were eager to find the winner, big chances came for Haissem Hassan and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, which weren't converted. Celtic drop points on a massive opportunity to open the gap at the top.

In the capital, Derek McInnes returned to Tynecastle to a toxic reception from the home support. A huge game for both sides, as 3rd place Hearts had the chance to close the gap with Rangers to just one point, with Rangers playing catch-up with Celtic.

In the opening 15 minutes of the game, Rangers fed off a Hearts mistake. Some nice linkup play by Ryan Naderi saw Kevin Kelsy one-on-one with goalkeeper Beau Rues, which resulted in the Venezuelan international firing Rangers ahead. Rangers looked to see out their lead until the break, with Hearts threatening an equaliser.

Rangers managed to hold out their advantage until the break, but as the game resumed, Hearts immediately showed Rangers warning signs. Only two minutes into the second period, an effective free kick was met by Malachi Fagan-Walcott, who flashed a ball across the face of goal, which was turned in by Claudio Braga, marking his 5th goal of the season.

Less than 10 minutes later, a fast-paced surge forward by Claudio Braga put worry into Rangers. Braga got his shot off, which was blocked by Emmanuel Fernandez, fell sweetly for Celtic academy graduate, Calvin Miller, who tucked it away completing the Hearts turnaround.

McInnes' return to Tynecastle seemed on the ropes, as a massive chance to close the gap on their rivals was slipping away. Rangers were desperate for a goal to at least savour a point.

As we entered the final minute of normal time in the capital, a promising Rangers free kick saw Badredine Bouanani deliver a fantastic ball into the danger area, where Olwethu Makhanya powered an emphatic header in off the post, delivering a huge goal for McInnes and Rangers.

Rangers had a chance to win it right at the death, but Dujon Sterling scuffed his effort. The game finished in a 2-2 stalemate, leaving the top end of the table wide open, with Celtic remaining four points clear at the top with Rangers and Hearts four points apart.

After an enthralling 90 minutes, emotions escalated on the sidelines. McInnes and Wouter Vrancken exchanged a sizzling handshake which attracted attention from the media.

After the match, McInnes spoke about his interaction with the new Hearts boss. He said: "I thought he was going to thank me for leaving him such a strong squad here.”

Vrancken said: “When you draw, lose or win, then I think you must have a genuine handshake.”

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