Hoops charge on as Hearts rage

NEIL LENNON couldn’t hide his delight as Celts went four points clear at the top of SPL

IT would have been the only time ever that a consolation goal was scored first.

Hearts were denied the lead inside two minutes at Tynecastle.

But even the biggest die-hard Jambo out there must know it wouldn't have made the slightest bit of difference.

Neil Lennon's Celtic were at their devastating best in Gorgie with a performance which saw them romp four points clear at the top of the SPL.

They would have gone behind to a Stephen Elliott opener had linesman Andy Tait spotted that the striker's header had crossed the line.

But for my money, it wouldn't have changed a thing.

Hearts boss Paulo Sergio might well have gone to bed last night wondering what might have been, but he is probably lucky it wasn't even worse. Celtic are rich in form and brimming with confidence and that combination makes them a real force to be reckoned with.

Four different players found the net last night — Scott Brown, Victor Wanyama, Joe Ledley and Gary Hooper.

Hearts? They barely had four chances.

The start to the game was as explosive as it has ever been for a big night under the Tynecastle lights.

And there's little doubt it should have been the home side that grabbed the lead. Andy Driver hung up a corner to the back post which was headed back across goal by skipper Andy Webster.

Elliott was in a pocket of space with the goal at his mercy and should have smashed the ball into the back of the net.

But his half-hearted effort hit Ledley and only just crossed the line before Fraser Forster clawed the ball away.

In real time it was virtually impossible to tell whether or not it was in for certain — and standside assistant Tait clearly didn't get a decisive view of it.

Despite the stadium announcer blasting celebratory music out of the speakers, the goal wasn't given.

And the Hearts supporters' joy quickly turned to despair as Celtic carried on playing and quickly broke up the pitch.

Inside 30 seconds they went from thinking it was game on to fearing it was already game over. Brown got the break of the ball off Georgios Samaras after James Forrest cut inside from the right touchline.

It fell perfectly to the Hoops skipper and he never looked like wasting the chance as he drilled his low right-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Arms out, chest puffed, he celebrated as only he knows how. Lennon's boxer delivering a heavyweight blow.

All of a sudden Hearts' were staring defeat in the face when they felt they had taken the first step towards victory.

Manager Sergio barked at his players from the touchline in a desperate bid to cajole them into action, but he didn't stand a chance.

This group of players have proved their character already this season by taking on owner Vladimir Romanov in their wage dispute. This, though, was an argument they could not win.

With their tails up, Celtic stepped up the pace and looked for a killer second.

They didn't have to wait long to get it.

With 19 minutes on the clock Forrest smashed a shot which was blocked and bounced up in front of Wanyama.

The Kenyan midfielder showed all the attributes of a top-class striker as he controlled the ball with one touch then drilled the ball into the roof of the net with his second before it had even bounced.

Hearts fans were now fearing the worst.

Celtic had scored two goals from two chances and were in no mood to take their foot off the gas.

With little more than half an hour gone they grabbed their third of the night — and Ledley will hardly score an easier goal in his life. Brown robbed the sleeping Zaliukas in midfield and combined with Hooper, who quickly spread the ball out to Samaras on the left.

The Greek sped to the bye-line before lifting a cross over two defenders and keeper MacDonald for the unmarked Ledley to nod the ball into the empty net.

The half-time whistle couldn't come quickly enough for Hearts, who were all over the place.

Charlie Mulgrew went into ref Willie Collum's book for a blatant dive in the Jambos box and could have no complaints.

Ledley hit the post after 59 minutes, but any hopes the home side had that they were off the hook were swiftly dashed.

From the corner Wanyama headed the ball down between keeper MacDonald's legs and Hooper stabbed it over the line. That signalled the departure of dozens of home supporters, who couldn't handle the punishment any more.

Still over half an hour to play, but the result was beyond doubt.

Lennon's side were so much in control he was able to take off the booked Brown and hand a debut to striker Pawel Brozek.

Daniel Majstorovic was also given a run-out for the first time since he cracked his cheekbone.

Samaras came close to adding a fifth with a stinging shot from the edge of the box which keeper MacDonald did well to turn around the post.

But this was as convincing a victory as Celtic will have all season.

HEARTS: MacDonald 5, McGowan 5, Zaliukas 5, Webster 5, Hamill 5, Robertson 5 (Santana 2), Mrowiec 5, Grainger 5 (Skacel 2), Driver 4 (Glenn 4), Elliott 5, Taouil 5. Booked: Driver, Webster, McGowan, Mrowiec. Starman: McGowan.

CELTIC: Forster 6, Matthews 7, Rogne 7 (Majstorovic 4), K Wilson 7, Mulgrew 7, Brown 8 (Brozek 3), Wanyama 8, Ledley 8, Forrest 7, Samaras 7, Hooper 8 (Stokes 3). Booked: Mulgrew, Brown. Starman: Joe Ledley.

Referee: Willie Collum 6