Glasgow Celtic Take Down Title Pretenders Hearts in SPL

There's never a dull moment at Celtic Park and tonight's match could prove that Hearts are not ready for the big time just yet.

After a fantastic recent run of 10 wins in 11 games, Hearts had crept to within a few points of the old firm pair of Rangers and Celtic, and after their victory over Rangers at the weekend, the media were starting to get a little excited that someone may at last challenge the Glasgow giants' exclusive grip on the SPL title.

Celtic sent that remnant of hope crashing round the ears of all who had whispered the hopeful words by trouncing the Edinburgh side 4-0 at Celtic Park tonight. To be honest, Hearts played better tonight than they did at the weekend, but walked away with their tails between their legs.

Celtic had brought Forrest and Ledley back into the fold and it only took the young Prestwick lad nine minutes to open Celtic's account on the night with an unstoppable shot. His (Forrest) game was to be short-lived, though, as he left the field on 25 minutes thanks to an injury.

Ex-Hibs player Anthony Stokes wasted a brilliant chance to double the Glasgow side's lead shortly before halftime as their visitors struggled to even get a glimpse at goal with two half chances flashing across goal being the closest they had came to scoring.

The second half started much the same as the first ended and straight from the kick off, Celtic attacked with Hooper unlucky to see his effort saved well by the under pressure Hearts keeper, Kello.

He was to pick the ball out the back of the net a few minutes later, though, as Stokes added his side's second goal from a delightful free kick that dipped and curled over the defensive wall that the diving outstretched keeper had no chance of stopping.

With 20 minutes remaining, the home side put the game beyond doubt as Stokes added his second of the night with the easiest goal he will ever score—an open net, two yards out, couldn't miss. To round things off with 10 minutes remaining, McCourt, who had replaced Forrest in the first half, bent in a shot into the top corner to end the game 4-0 for the home side.

There were a few handbag moments in the match which resulted in three yellow cards for either side, but that added to the excitement of the match for the near 50,000 crowd inside Celtic Park.

Jambos boss Jim Jeffries could offer no excuses, his team was well-beaten. Celtic boss Neil Lennon could not be happier, his team won the match and there were no dubious decisions to complain to the SFA about. Although listening to a lot of the Celtic fans sitting around me in the stand, you would think the referee was wearing a masons hat as he made his way round the pitch, but that's just trivial.

Another three points for the Celtic side keeps them five points clear at the top as rivals Rangers also won tonight, beating Hibs 2-0 at Easter Road with Jelavic getting on the score sheet for the Ibrox side.

Now if Celtic would only do something about the parking and road problem outside the stadium!