BAYO made his full debut for Celtic in the Parkhead sunshine and turned in a performance that was just too hot for Hearts to handle.
Neil Lennon made numerous changes to his first choice eleven with Thursday’s trip to Stockholm in mind. Bayo up top and Fraser Forster in goals were the headlines before kickoff and both had eventful afternoons.
Big Fraser got himself booked after fouling a Hearts player outside after his initial clearance. The Hearts player took the kick quickly after the yellow was shown but Forster got back to save. Willie Collum though brought it back to give them a second bite at the cherry.
Then in the second half, after working on his tan, the big man was called upon to face a penalty after Scott Brown’s shoulder was too strong for the Hearts striker. Collum though had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
And as we expected Fraser got down to save the penalty but the cheers faded as the rebound was netted.
Celtic were three up at that stage. Indeed it could have been four after a fine cross from James Forrest found Bayo at the back post and his header smashed off the bar.
He’s just had some treatment- from Willie Collum – for crap and he’d used his considerable pace and strength to win another corner out of nothing.
Bayo had opened the scoring in the first half to give Celtic a narrow advantage at the interval. James Forrest provided the assist and Bayo got in ahead of the defender to head home.
Celtic were sluggish at the start of the second period but a fine long ball from Bitton found Ajer and opened Hearts up. Eventually the ball found McGregor 20 yards from goal and he smashed his shot low into the bottom corner past Joel Pereira in the Hearts goal.
Ajer was having an outstanding game at right back – surely he’s a cert to play there at Ibrox next Sunday – and his low cross found Bayo to get to the ball first – to divert into the net to make it 3-0.
Mikey Johnston replaced Ntcham, who has had better games and Griffiths came on for the exhausted man of the Match. The third change was Ralston for Ajer who was given a huge standing ovation.
Pereira in stoppage time gathered the ball and threw it out off Mikey Johnston’s back. The Celtic substitute was quickest to react and slotted it home. But Collum made use of those eyes in the back of his head to see an infringement.
It was nevertheless a Beautiful Sunday and Celtic go back to the top of the league after very briefly dropping to second spot just before kickoff. Onward now to Stockholm and then Ibrox.
Incidentally Johan Mjallby was at the game and drew the Paradise Windfall at the interval. No idea if he’s here to discuss re-joining the backroom staff, although that was being talked about at the game.
Man of the Match – Bayo with an honourable mention for Ajer.
