Hearts 1 – 4 Celtic

Celtic moved three factors away from Aberdeen on the prime of the Scottish Premiership after a high-powered second-half show earned Brendan Rodgers’ aspect a 4-1 win at Hearts.

The Hoops have been tracked by the Dons all season however the Pittodrie aspect’s first league defeat of the marketing campaign away to St Mirren earlier within the day paved the best way for Rodgers’ males to claim their authority on the summit.

The Hoops had been off the tempo within the first half and appeared prone to a primary home defeat since they misplaced on their final go to to Tynecastle nearly 9 months in the past.

However the champions managed to subdue Hearts within the second half and their class shone by means of as they pulled away by means of targets from Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah, who hit a double both aspect of a comfort strike from dwelling substitute Musa Drammeh.

The Parkhead aspect have now gained six matches in a row in all competitions forward of their Champions League showdown at dwelling to Membership Brugge on Wednesday.

Hearts, who journey to Belgium to face Cercle Brugge within the Convention League the next night, stay eleventh within the desk, just one level from the underside.

Hoops second-half class asserts title-race authority

Celtic noticed extra of the ball in a goalless first half, however it was Hearts who loved a flurry of probabilities due to chopping counter-attacking play.

Blair Spittal and James Penrice had been amongst these to be denied by Kasper Schmeichel, whereas Alan Forrest noticed his strike blocked by Cameron Carter-Vickers on the finish of a sweeping transfer ignited by the excellent Penrice.

However having struggled to hassle Craig Gordon within the first half, Celtic compelled the Hearts goalkeeper into an excellent save early within the second, Kyogo Furuhashi seeing his close-range effort denied after pivoting within the field.

The Celtic ahead breached Gordon’s aim within the fifty fifth minute, although, ending on the second time of asking after Daniel Oyegoke had ceded possession in a harmful space. Spurred on, the guests then prolonged their lead by means of Scottish Premiership prime scorer Nicolas Kuhn, who drove into the left-hand-side of the Hearts field and powered his end into the close to prime nook.

Although Hearts responded effectively, coming closest when Anthony Ralston diverted a curling cross onto his personal crossbar, Celtic confirmed their ruthless edge within the closing phases, substitute Adam Idah scoring with simply his third contact.

Musa Drammeh, on from the Hearts bench, decreased the deficit to 2 with an excellent strike from exterior the field, however Celtic remained on prime and Idah transformed a stoppage-time penalty to seal an necessary win.

Rodgers hails ‘unbelievable’ Kuhn

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers talking to Sky Sports activities:

“It’s a very, very good win when you come here to Tynecastle and can win 4-1. Excellent performance, especially the second half.

“Once we went by means of at half-time they adjusted actually, very well and we might then play by means of in higher numbers after which get rid of that press significantly better.

“We scored very good goals and kept going right to the very end which is the mark of a good team.

“It is an enormous credit score to our gamers, they’ve made lengthy, lengthy journeys and so they’re popping out of various time zones.

“Our Japanese players, Ali Johnston, Alex [Valle], Auston Trusty.

“They’re giving a lot to the workforce and energy and dedication, so simply managing their minutes.

“Nicolas Kuhn’s numbers are absolutely incredible, but he’s working very, very hard and I thought his finish was absolutely superb. He’s shown that he can make strikes, he can bend it in and score a back post. It was really pleasing.”

‘A number of positives’ for Critchley

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley on Sky Sports activities:

“I don’t think 4-1 is a reflection of the game. I thought that was really harsh. I thought we were excellent in the first half.

“Whenever you’re on prime, you must take your probabilities, and we did not try this. The primary aim is pivotal. You want a component of luck, and so they get luck for his or her first aim.

“We maybe showed a little bit of naivety right near the end of the game.

“Typically it’s important to take your drugs. We opened up the pitch for them, and so they punished us however there was a whole lot of positives to take.

“I saw a real good structure and organisation, I saw a team on the front foot, we created some good opportunities and we gave a good team a real test, I felt.”

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