Erik Sviatchenko's dash to defeat Hearts after son's birth

Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko has revealed partner Anne Rudmose urged him to play against Hearts seconds after she gave birth to their son William on Saturday morning.

Sviatchenko at full-time after helping Celtic to defeat Hearts. Picture: SNS

He rushed from the 
hospital to Celtic Park and took part in the team’s 3-1 win over the Edinburgh side to temporarily extend the lead over Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership table to seven points.

Sviatchenko said: “I got a call at six in the morning from Anne. She said: ‘It’s now and are you ready to come?’ I arranged a taxi then rushed to the hospital. At 7.53am William was born. Both of them are well.

“The first thing Anna said after William was born was, ‘You are going to play, right?’, and I said, ‘Of course I’m going to play’.

“She knows what it’s about. I was high but, when I came on the pitch, I switched into game mode.”