Celtic cruised to victory against title rivals Hearts to move four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Hearts returned to Parkhead for the first time since breaking their trophy in May, hoping for revenge, only for Celtic to pile on the misery.
The Hoops raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes, with both goals coming from corners by Mika Baur. Kieran Tierney headed home the opener before Benjamin Nygren’s deflected goal doubled Celtic’s lead.
Callum Osmand, who secured Celtic’s title five months ago, marked his first start for the club with a quick double. He capitalized on a terrific pass from Sabri Guendouz to slot home before heading in the rebound after Camilo Duran was denied.
Laurent Mendy pulled a goal back for Hearts but their hopes of a comeback took another blow before the break when Stephen Kingsley and Jamie McCart combined to turn the ball into their own net.
After missing a glorious chance, Duran made amends for Celtic’s sixth at home shortly after the restart, before Nygren added a seventh late on to cap a miserable afternoon for Hearts.
More to follow…
Highlights from Celtic Park
7: GOAL! Celtic take an early lead! Liam Scales gets on the end of Mika Baur’s corner and he heads it to Kieran Tierney to head into the net.
10: GOAL! Celtic’s second corner, Celtic’s second goal. Baur sends it in with Dane Murray hitting Benjamin Nygren and his deflected volley hits the back of the net.
18: OUT OF THE POST! Haissem Hassan easily beats Stephen Kingsley and takes a shot wide but it hits the leg.
36: GOAL! Callum Osmand celebrates his first start by capitalizing on Sabri Guendouz’s terrific pass to head home.
38: GOAL! Camilo Duran’s first attempt is saved by Reus. He pounces on the rebound and passes the ball to Osmandi for his second of the game.
41: GOAL! The visitors pulled one back before the break as Laurent Mendy drove a powerful drive into the net from around 16 yards.
44: CLOSE UP! Duran goes through the gate, but sends it out. That should be five.
45+1: GOAL! Baur weaves through the defense and runs past Reus, and Kingsley knocks him over his line from fellow defender McCart.
49: CELTIC GOAL! Tierney crosses the ball to Duran and he turns it into the net.
83: CELTIC GOAL! Kasper Hogh breaks away from the Hearts defense and plays it to Nygren and he heads the ball into the corner.
What does the result mean and the next matches…
Rate the players…
