Stephane Adam scored two neat goals in a Tynecastle thriller to deservedly give Hearts their first victory over champions Celtic in 13 league games.

The Frenchman struck either side of half-time to send the Glasgow giants crashing to a defeat that leaves them a long way off leaders and city rivals Rangers.

Hearts survived a desperate last 15 minutes after Phil O'Donnell had pulled one back for the visitors, as they hung on for a win they will hope can kick-start a disappointing season.

Celtic began brightly, but the first genuine effort fell to Hearts on 11 minutes when Adam sent in a long-range cross-shot from the byline which Jonathan Gould did well to palm the ball round the post.

Jim Hamilton should have done better for the Jambos four minutes later when he chested the ball down superbly and shook off Tom Boyd, but his volley flashed well wide.

Adam connects with Guerin's cross to make it 1-0 (5 Live)

In the 26th minute, with Hearts pushing on, Hamilton had an even better chance. Adam swung a superb low cross into the six yard box and the big frontman, with Gould bearing down on him, stuck out a foot only to see his effort soar wildly over the bar.

Gould then raced to the edge of the area and dived bravely at the feet of Steve Fulton after the former Celtic player had been sent through on goal.

Celtic, despite dominating possession, appeared to lack a cutting edge - and Hearts made them pay for their failure to create chances.

Ten minutes before the break Dave McPherson unleashed a furious volley which Gould did well to beat out. But Hearts kept up the attack and when Vincent Guerin reached the byline on the left and played a precise cross into the area, Adam was on hand to nod a simple goal past the helpless Gould.

Hamilton looked lucky to stay on the field when he only received a yellow card for a studs-up challenge that left Stephane Mahe writhing in agony.

A second goal from Adam gives Celtic a mountain to climb

All Celtic's hopes of hitting back in the second half were dashed by another slick Adam goal just after the break.

Hamilton found himself in acres of space on the right and he fired a near-post ball into the area which the unmarked Adam flicked with the deftest of touches past Gould.

Gilles Rousset did well to hold a thundering 30-yard shot from Alan Stubbs down at his right-hand post, as Celtic began to take desperate measures.

Adam was denied a fine hat-trick when Gould tipped his angled drive round the post on 57 minutes after good work from Fulton and Hamilton.

At last though Celtic began to cause problems in the opposition penalty area and, with just 15 minutes left, somehow threw themselves a lifeline.

Dangerman Henrik Larsson sent in a low ball and O'Donnell scrambled the ball into the back of the net via a deflection.

By now Hearts' defence began to flutter alarmingly as Celtic, sensing they could earn a share of the spoils, pressed on.

Six minutes from time Rousset produced the save of the match to smother O'Donnell's point-blank shot and from the resultant corner Larsson headed the ball just wide.

Desperate penalty appeals from Celtic were turned down in injury time and Hearts held out for a vital win.

Teams:

Hearts: Rousset, McPherson, Naysmith, Weir, Ritchie, Fulton, Adam, Hamilton, Flogel, Murray, Guerin. Subs: Locke, McKenzie, McKinnon, Holmes, Juanjo.

Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Mahe, Stubbs, Larsson, O'Donnell, Donnelly, Lambert, Moravcik, Riseth, Mjallby. Subs: Brattbakk, Hannah, Annoni, McCondichie, Burchill.