Gordon Strachan’s name sailed up to the skies as the man who took over the daunting task of replacing Martin O’Neill delivered in style. John Hartson’s thunderous early goal, on his 31st birthday, ensured that Celtic sealed the Bank of Scotland Premierleague title at the earliest-ever date.

Strachan took over a club and supporters who were psychologically scarred after losing the title in the last few minutes of the previous campaign. It was a fitting climax, as Celtic saw off their nearest challengers.

Celtic and their fans knew they were going to win the title by the length of a street — they are 20 points ahead of Heart of Midlothian with six games still to play— but they did not want to squander any opportunity and defended frantically in the face of Hearts’ late bombardment.

“It’s a fantastic effort,” said Neil Lennon, the captain, one of the O’Neill old guard, as was Hartson. Indeed, Hartson, who has separated from his wife, hinted that this could be his last Celtic celebration. “I have had five great years here and won three titles, but I will cherish this night forever,” Hartson said. “I have to sit down with my family and make a decision in the summer. If I leave it will be a wrench.”

Too often this season Celtic Park has had the air of a library, with the obvious exception of Old Firm encounters, as Strachan’s team have patiently worn their opponens down. However, with the tantalising prize on the horizon, the decibel level in the east end of Glasgow matched those European nights that Celtic have specialised in in recent years but from which they have been excluded this season.

That early elimination from the Champions League by Artmedia Bratislava has been a source of irritation for Celtic throughout the campaign, almost as much as the dramatic loss of the title last May at Fir Park. Strachan’s men have worn both occasions like a hair shirt, serving to remind them of the need for atonement.

The profusion of banners and flags around the ground underlined that this was an evening that stirred special feelings among the supporters. That passion was rewarded was with a picture book goal after just four minutes that allowed Celtic to seize control of the contest.

A long ball from Artur Boruc, the goalkeeper, was glanced on by Hartson, whose rose above Christophe Berra, to Maciej Zurawski. The Poland forward deftly turned it back into the path of Hartson, who measured up the situation and conjured up a remarkable right-foot volley from 25 yards that flew past Craig Gordon’s despairing dive.

It was the perfect present for the Wales forward, who was celebrating his birthday, and it ignited Celtic Park. Hartson might have procured another goal eight minutes later after Zurawski clipped a cross to his partner, but Hartson’s header was tame and Gordon collected it.

However, gradually Hearts gained a foothold in the contest. Roman Bednar summoned up a fine shot on the turn but Boruc was equal to it. That inspired Hearts, who dominated possession for the next 20 minutes, but could not gain any clear opportunities.

Celtic, in contrast, enjoyed greater threat in the final third. Had Berra not held off Zurawksi then the Pole might have plundered another goal and then Stilian Petrov was squeezed out at the near post as he gathered a flick-on from Stephen McManus. Andy Webster came closest for Hearts, just after the half-hour, with a clever lob that narrowly cleared the target after Hartson headed out Robbie Neilson’s throw-in.

The intense midfield contest must have been savoured by the watching audience throughout Britain, but the game was also being screened live back in Japan because of the presence of Shunsuke Nakamura. The tiny playmaker tried to make an impact with a dipping long-range free kick just before the interval.

The intensity of play did not lesson in the second half. The pulses of the Hearts side quickened when they thought they had restored parity afer 50 minutes. Paul Hartley’s angled free-kick was headed back across the face of the box by Berra and Webster stabbed it past Boruc almost on the goalline. However, the defender’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Hearts were furious and Valdas Ivanauskas, the caretaker coach, raced 30 yards to remonstrate with the linesman and he was spoken to by Dougie McDonald, the referee. Nerves were raw, although a fine exchange between Shaun Maloney and Mark Wilson led to Webster frantically clearing the latter’s cross.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk