Celtic restored their seven-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a thumping 4-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.
The champions made an extremely fast start as Matt O’Riley’s fine first-time volley (4) gave them the lead.
Celtic were dominant, and they extended their advantage midway through the first half when Daizen Maeda (23) bundled Reo Hatate’s cross over the line from inside the six-yard box.
The visitors had the chance to make the game safe early in the second half when Kyogo Furuhashi went to ground in the penalty area under a challenge from Alex Cochrane, but Hatate spurned the opportunity, striking his spot-kick against the foot of the post.
However, Brendan Rodgers’ side did not have to wait too much longer for a third as Kyogo (51) thumped home his eighth goal in eight games against Hearts.
There was a glimmer of hope for the hosts, who were booed off at half-time, when Lawrence Shankland (61) ended his eight-game goal drought to pull one back, but Tomoki Iwata’s emphatic finish (81) sealed a comprehensive victory for the league leaders, who continue their unbeaten start to the season.
How Celtic continued their unbeaten league start…
Celtic took no time at all to get going at Tynecastle as Luis Palma’s clipped ball into the box picked out O’Riley, who guided a sweetly-struck volley past Zander Clark for his sixth goal in 12 games this season.
Kenneth Vargas did force Joe Hart into action, with the former England goalkeeper turning behind the Hearts forward’s shot from a tight angle as the hosts searched for a way back into the game.
However, Celtic never really looked back from O’Riley’s opener.
They continued to dominate proceedings and extended their advantage when Maeda, who was adjudged onside after a VAR check, converted Hatate’s cross from close range.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda scores to make it 2-0
After the break, Celtic spurned the chance to add a third when Hatate’s spot-kick rebounded off the post after Kyogo went down under a challenge from Cochrane in the penalty area.
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Reo Hatate misses the opportunity to put Celtic 3-0 ahead from the penalty spot
However, Kyogo was soon celebrating as he slammed home an emphatic finish to score his 60th Celtic goal in 95 games.
Hearts were handed a lifeline in the 65th minute when Shankland curled a superb strike past Hart and into the bottom goal for his first goal since August.
But it proved to be just a consolation as Iwata grabbed his first Celtic goal with an emphatic strike which thundered in off the underside of the crossbar to secure Celtic a sixth straight league win.
The goals…
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Matt O’Riley gets on the end of Luis Palma’s ball and finishes with a fine strike to give Celtic an early lead against Hearts
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Maeda latches on to Hatate’s cross to slot home from close range to give Celtic a 2-0 lead
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Kyogo finishes from close range to make it 3-0
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Lawrence Shankland scores for Hearts with a super strike from outside the box
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Tomoki Iwata adds a fourth for Celtic through an incredible strike which cannons off the underside of the crossbar
What’s next?
Celtic host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday October 25, kick-off 8pm. They then return to league action three days later at Hibernian. Kick-off 3pm.
Meanwhile, Hearts travel to Rangers on Sunday October 29 at 3pm.
