SPL / Hearts 0 Celtic 1: It was a day of protest that was meant to save Tynecastle, not embarrass it. But Hearts fell a little short on all fronts yesterday.

Protesters unhappy with the club's escalating financial crisis and proposed move to Murrayfield made their points effectively, until some of them began throwing objects at Celtic players. Their grievance is with the board, chief executive Chris Robinson and the cruelty of the fate that made them Jambo supporters. They can hardly blame Rab Douglas for any of that.

The Celtic goalkeeper was hit by a coin from the notorious Section N of the Main Stand. Other missiles were thrown from the Wheatfield Stand before the Glasgow side emerged with all three points and a 19-game unbeaten run intact. Twenty-eight supporters were ejected, one was arrested and police are checking CCTV footage in the hope of identifying the supporter responsible for throwing a coin at Chris Sutton.

With BBC's cameras panning around the club's home of 118 years ahead of kick-off, the demonstrators maximised their opportunity, waving placards reading "Robinson Out Now". Robinson's anguished look was that of a man under siege. And when the football got under way, Douglas must have understood exactly how he was feeling.

Perhaps fortified by all the vitriol flying around them, Hearts opened the proceedings at a ferocious tempo. Indeed, had it not been for a timely intervening challenge from Celtic's captain Jackie McNamara after only 80 seconds, Phil Stamp may have shot them in front. Douglas then dealt uncomfortably with two long-range efforts from Scott Severin.

Still, no one can afford to switch off for a millisecond when Celtic are rattled. Within what seemed like the blink of an eye, O'Neill's men were in front and it was a goal of consummate simplicity from Stilian Petrov.

With 27 minutes gone, Henrik Larsson fed the Bulgarian midfielder in the wide open spaces of the right-hand side. With one glance at his intended target, Petrov drove a right-foot shot through Craig Gordon's legs and, after a high-octane start by Hearts, normal service had been resumed.

The only blot for the Parkhead men was the yellow card dished out to Petrov by referee Kenny Clark for over-exuberant celebrations in front of the home fans. Such provocation was surely unnecessary - the denizens of Gorgie were angry enough.

Hearts were extremely unfortunate not to be level on 61 minutes. Stamp found Mark de Vries in almost exactly the same spot from which Petrov struck, but the towering striker sent his shot drifting past a post. It was the story of their afternoon.

Martin O'Neill was relieved to escape with a victory after his team had been pushed to the limits. "I'm delighted," Celtic's manager admitted.

"It would have been a good result to leave here having not been beat. To get all three points is excellent for us.

"We had to play strongly because Hearts did."