Hearts 1 – 4 Celtic

Celtic moved three factors away from Aberdeen on the high of the Scottish Premiership after a high-powered second-half show earned Brendan Rodgers’ facet a 4-1 win at Hearts.

The Hoops have been tracked by the Dons all season however the Pittodrie facet’s first league defeat of the marketing campaign away to St Mirren earlier within the day paved the way in which for Rodgers’ males to claim their authority on the summit.

The Hoops have been off the tempo within the first half and seemed prone to a primary home defeat since they misplaced on their final go to to Tynecastle virtually 9 months in the past.

However the champions managed to subdue Hearts within the second half and their class shone by as they pulled away by targets from Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah, who hit a double both facet of a comfort strike from residence substitute Musa Drammeh.

The Parkhead facet have now received six matches in a row in all competitions forward of their Champions League showdown at residence to Membership Brugge on Wednesday.

Hearts, who journey to Belgium to face Cercle Brugge within the Convention League the next night, stay eleventh within the desk, just one level from the underside.

Hoops second-half class asserts title-race authority

Celtic noticed extra of the ball in a goalless first half, however it was Hearts who loved a flurry of possibilities due to slicing counter-attacking play.

Blair Spittal and James Penrice have been amongst these to be denied by Kasper Schmeichel, whereas Alan Forrest noticed his strike blocked by Cameron Carter-Vickers on the finish of a sweeping transfer ignited by the excellent Penrice.

However having struggled to hassle Craig Gordon within the first half, Celtic compelled the Hearts goalkeeper into an outstanding save early within the second, Kyogo Furuhashi seeing his close-range effort denied after pivoting within the field.

The Celtic ahead breached Gordon’s purpose within the fifty fifth minute, although, ending on the second time of asking after Daniel Oyegoke had ceded possession in a harmful space. Spurred on, the guests then prolonged their lead by Scottish Premiership high scorer Nicolas Kuhn, who drove into the left-hand-side of the Hearts field and powered his end into the close to high nook.

Although Hearts responded properly, coming closest when Anthony Ralston diverted a curling cross onto his personal crossbar, Celtic confirmed their ruthless edge within the closing phases, substitute Adam Idah scoring with simply his third contact.

Musa Drammeh, on from the Hearts bench, diminished the deficit to 2 with an outstanding strike from outdoors the field, however Celtic remained on high and Idah transformed a stoppage-time penalty to seal an essential win.

Rodgers hails ‘unimaginable’ Kuhn

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers talking to Sky Sports activities:

“It’s a very, very good win when you come here to Tynecastle and can win 4-1. Excellent performance, especially the second half.

“Once we went by at half-time they adjusted actually, rather well and we may then play by in higher numbers after which eradicate that press a lot better.

“We scored very good goals and kept going right to the very end which is the mark of a good team.

“It is an enormous credit score to our gamers, they’ve made lengthy, lengthy journeys and so they’re popping out of various time zones.

“Our Japanese players, Ali Johnston, Alex [Valle], Auston Trusty.

“They’re giving a lot to the group and energy and dedication, so simply managing their minutes.

“Nicolas Kuhn’s numbers are absolutely incredible, but he’s working very, very hard and I thought his finish was absolutely superb. He’s shown that he can make strikes, he can bend it in and score a back post. It was really pleasing.”

‘Lots of positives’ for Critchley

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley on Sky Sports activities:

“I don’t think 4-1 is a reflection of the game. I thought that was really harsh. I thought we were excellent in the first half.

“If you’re on high, it’s essential take your possibilities, and we did not do this. The primary purpose is pivotal. You want a component of luck, and so they get luck for his or her first purpose.

“We maybe showed a little bit of naivety right near the end of the game.

“Generally you must take your medication. We opened up the pitch for them, and so they punished us however there was plenty of positives to take.

“I saw a real good structure and organisation, I saw a team on the front foot, we created some good opportunities and we gave a good team a real test, I felt.”

What’s arising within the Scottish Premiership?