Celtic title party jamming after beating Hearts

The Welsh striker's fourth minute goal meant Gordon Strachan's side were crowned champions in record breaking time, with six games still to play and two days before Martin O'Neill's Celtic clinched the title on April 7 in season 2003/04.

However, the home side's Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc was the hero on the night as he pulled off a string of great saves to keep out an impressive Hearts side.

The only goal of the game was a sensational 20-yard volley from Hartson, who was celebrating his 31st birthday.

There seemed to be little danger when the home side's Boruc lumped a high ball forward towards the edge of the Hearts penalty area. However, fellow Pole Maciej Zurawski rose to head the ball into the path of Hartson and he sent a fierce right-foot volley into the bottom corner of the net, with Hearts keeper Craig Gordon unable to keep it out despite getting a hand to it.

Hearts almost drew level in the 14th minute when Robbie Neilson's free-kick found its way to Roman Bednar and the Czech's shot from 12-yards required Boruc to tip the ball around the post at full-stretch.

It was the visitors who went on to dominate the rest of the first-half and they came close to taking the lead in the 34th minute when Andy Webster sent a looping shot from 20-yards just over Boruc's crossbar.

A nervy looking Celtic were struggling to cause their opponents many problems but Japanese international Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick from 30-yards forced Gordon to dive low to his left to save in the 43rd minute.

Into the second-half Hearts continued to look the more likely side and in the 50th minute they had the ball in the back of the net. Paul Hartley's free-kick was headed back across goal by Christophe Berra and Webster forced the ball over the line but the assistant referee flagged for offside.

In the 56th minute the Tynecastle team again came close when Bednar's shot from 12-yards required Boruc to throw himself to his left to push the ball away.

There was only one side who looked likely to score and in the 66th minute Czech midfielder Rudi Skacel, who had replaced Lithuanian Saulius Mikoliunas four minutes previously, fired in a low left-foot shot which Boruc again palmed away.

Hearts had a shout for a penalty in the 79th minute when Bobo Balde barged into Bednar from behind as they tried to reach a loose ball but referee Dougie McDonald waved the claims away.

The Edinburgh side's Lithuanian caretaker coach Valdas Ivanauskas was furious with the decision and was sent to the stand for his protests.

In the final few minutes Hearts threw everything at the Celtic defence but they could not find a way through and after four minutes of injury time the final whistle blew sparking the start of the title celebrations.

Strachan showed what winning his first league title as a manager meant, running on to the field to embrace his captain Neil Lennon.

Hibernian moved back up into fourth place over visitors Kilmarnock after a 2-1 victory at Easter Road.

Derek Riordan and Paul Dalglish netted in the last 10 minutes to give Hibs a come-from-behind victory following Gary Wales' 19th minute opener for Killie.