Celtic produced an impressive second half display to dismiss Hearts at Tynecastle. The Scottish Champions were sluggish in the first period in Edinburgh before taking four second half chances to put Neil Critchley’s Jambos out of sight.
After Rangers drew against Dundee United at Ibrox and Aberdeen were defeated by St Mirren, Brendan Rodgers’ side knew they could stretch their lead to eleven points over their city rivals and three over second placed Aberdeen. The manager named what would likely be described as his strongest XI.
The first half was particularly uneventful with Celtic having a lot of the ball but the intense press from Hearts meaning that little chances were carved out by the league leaders.
Kyogo scored the opener after a blocked clearance fell favourably to the Japanese attacker. Craig Gordon foiled the striker on a few occasions in the game but he could do nothing on this occasion.
Nicolas Kühn continued his impressive season by netting a quick fire second, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Adam Idah scored a brace. The forward struck to make it 3-0 with a neatly taken finish after some good link up play in the middle from Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo.
Hearts pulled one back through an admittedly excellent strike from Drammeh.
Although, the Irish striker ensured Celtic had the last of the scoring. James Forrest was brought down in the box and Steven McLean correctly awarded a penalty. Idah stepped up and drove a perfect penalty into the net to complete the scoring.
It was a forgettable first half by Celtic but the four goals in the second half showed the ruthless of Brendan’s side as they complete a perfect Saturday. The focus will now switch from domestic duty to the UEFA Champions League with Club Brugge visiting Paradise on Wednesday.
Couldn’t really have asked for a better Saturday, in the end?
Strange game in many ways tonight?
Could see our gameplan in the 1st half, with trying to control the game with possession football?
But were so blunt without any real cutting edge in our attacking play?
Along with so much sloppy play, which in turn, handed up a few chances to the minis?
Masterclass from Rodgers at half time, to make the adjustments required within our play, which in turn, made ourselves look like a completely different team, and the one that we have become use to recognising this season.
Scored 4, could easily have been 7/8 in a fantastic 2nd half display?
With all of our subs contributing also, and getting to a stage now, where we could do with more than 5 subs allowed, in order to get game time into some of our players?
With the scum and the sheep both dropping points, makes tonight’s victory, all the more sweeter for ourselves