Celtic hammer Hearts to reduce gap

For the second time in less than a week, Celtic were far better than Hearts, and as such recorded a seventh straight domestic win in a 5-0 mauling of the Edinburgh side.

Striker Eduaord scored two goals either side of a brilliant Filip Benkovic header to put the hosts 3-0 to the good at half time. 

Youngsters James Forrest and Ryan Christie would add the fourth and fifth goals at Parkhead to cap off a memorable performance from the reigning champions. 

Having started the season with just seven goals in seven games, Celtic have since bagged 20 across their last four matches, and consequently sit just one point behind leaders Hearts. 

As expected, both managers were incontrasting moods in their post match press conferences. 

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for his side, stating: "Today typified our achievements over the past two and half years. We've been in European competition playing really difficult games and to produce what we've produced today shows our hunger and a sense that the team's back. Some of our attacking combination play was unbelievable."

In contrast, Hearts boss Craig Levein was less than impressed with his own side's showing, saying sullenly: "I felt, although we lost two goals in the second-half, I actually felt much better. To be fair to the players, they ran their socks off and put in a much better performance. We get a lot of players back [from injury] at the start of December. We'll have a lot more strength-in-depth once we get to the winter break [in January]. We'll consign this result to the dustbin."

Due to Saturday's mauling, Hearts remain top of the Scottish Premier League, but their handsome lead has now been cut to just one solitary point from the chasing pack.