Unbeaten run ends in heavy defeat
From Hearts Media at Celtic Park

Four goals from Celtic ended Hearts eleven game unbeaten run in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The Jambos never looked like scoring in a game which was dominated by the league leaders.

Jim Jefferies made one change from the team that defeated Rangers on Saturday; Ruben Palazuelos dropped to the bench and with Ian Black taking his place in the starting line-up. Arvydas Novikovas took his place on the bench while Darren Barr missed out altogether.

The game started out fairly evenly, though it was clear Celtic were on the attack from the off and they took the lead in the sixth minute. James Forrest got the ball out on the left, he twisted past a couple players and unleashed a powerful shot which went screaming past Marion Kello and putting the home side 1-0 up.

Hearts were trying to create some momentum, Lee Wallace was attacking down the left, but they were struggling to threaten the Celtic defence.

The home side had a good chance to double their lead in the 17th minute, Anthony Stokes beat the off-side trap to get the ball on the by-line, he crossed the ball in low but Kello was alert to come off his line and smother the danger.

Hearts were starting to settle into the game and their first real threat to Celtic came in the 26th minute when Zaliukus played a long ball through the middle. It went past everyone to the feet of Stephen Elliott. He turned and put a dangerous ball in across the box but nobody was on hand to direct it in.

While Celtic had the majority of the play Hearts were attempting to push forward. Lee Wallace continued to create space down the left and Skacel played a great ball through to the left back in the 36th minute. Wallace played a dangerous ball into the box, but again there was no maroon shirt on the end of it.

Celtic had a chance to double their lead just before half time, Kello had come out his box towards the corner flag to chase a ball, leaving his goal open, as the ball came in Zaliukus managed to clear, but only as far as Joe Ledley who was on the edge of the box. The goalkeeper was now back in position, but Ledley missed a great chance to double Celtic's lead by blasting his shot wide of Kello's left hand post.

Hearts made one change at half time with Ruben Palazuelos replacing Rudi Skacel. Celtic started the second 45 attacking the Hearts goal when Anthony Stokes forced Kello into a good save from a low range effort.

It wasn't long before the Glasgow side doubled their lead thanks to Anthony Stokes. Bouzid gave away a free kick just outside the box; Stokes took it and curled his shot into the top right hand corner of the goal.

In the 55th minute Ian Black made a late challenge on McCourt which resulted in almost every player on the park getting involved. Once the referee and both linesman had calmed everyone down, Black was booked for the challenge as were Zaliukus and Brown for getting involved.

Celtic were dominating the second half and although they weren't making any clear cut chances they were comfortable on the ball and breaking down any play Hearts were trying.

In the 73rd minute the home team killed the game off with a third goal. A long ball made its way through the middle of the park to Gary Hooper, who along with Anthony Stokes, was clear through on goal. Hooper was brought down by Kello but he played the ball to Stokes who slotted it in the net for his second and Celtic's third.

The home side weren't finished with their goal scoring, Paddy McCourt picked up a loose ball after Stoked missed a chance of the edge of the box. The substitute fired it past Kello to make it 4-0 to Celtic eight minutes before the end of the game.

Celtic: Forster, Izaguirre, Mulgrew, Wilson, Rogne, Brown, Ledley, Kayal (Juarez, 85), Hooper (Murphy, 88), Stokes, Forrest (McCourt, 23) Subs not used; Zaluska, Ljunberg, McGinn, Carey

Hearts: Kello; Jonsson, Bouzid, Zaliukas, Wallace; Mrowiec, Black (Obua, 63); Templeton (Suso, 63), Skacel (Palazuelos, 45), Eliott; Stevenson. Subs not used; Balogh, C.Thomson, Novikovas, Glen

Referee: Euan Norris

Top man: Lee Wallace

Hearts World