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Celtic bounced back from their European humiliation against Benfica in spectacular fashion as Martin O’Neill’s side demolished Hearts 7-1 at Celtic Park.
Callum Osmand struck twice in the first half, Benjamin Nygren grabbed a double of his own, while Kieran Tierney and Camilo Duran were outstanding as the Hoops tore the Edinburgh side apart.
After the defensive horror show in Lisbon, Celtic produced a ruthless attacking display to get back to winning ways and send a message to Hearts and Rangers that they are still the team to beat in the race for the title.
Here are our Celtic player ratings from a remarkable afternoon against Hearts.
The Finn really didn’t have much to do in the first half except pick the ball out of his own net. Sinisalo had a quiet game as Celtic turned the screw on Hearts
After being one of Celtic’s best players in a dismal night in Lisbon, Tierney terrorised Hearts with his mazy runs down the left. The full back opened the scoring with a nice header and also created Camilo Duran’s and Celtic’s sixth. Great performance.
Back in the Celtic starting line-up after missing the Benfica defeat. Scales was solid at the heart of the Hoops defence.
Young Murray had a torrid time in Benfica but redeemed himself against the Tynecastle side with a better display alongside Scales. He looked more confident and composed in a first-half that destroyed Hearts.
Didn’t have much to do defensively as Donovan had a quiet game against Hearts. Still won over half his battles in defence. Was unlucky not to score with a thumping shot early in the second half.
The Celtic captain once again, alongside Mika Baur, helped control the middle of the park as McGregor never put a foot wrong. The Hoops legend banished the ghosts of Benfica with a solid performance against Hearts. Taken off in the 60th minute.
Baur had a yet another very good game for Celtic. As he did against Motherwell, the German controlled the middle of the park and showed how effective he is as an attacking midfielder.
The much-maligned Swede was back in the starting line-up after Nygren was benched midweek. Once again he was back in the goals after scoring Celtic’s second and, in truth, should have had more. His second came in the 83rd minute with a tidy finish in late counter attack.
The Egyptian was named in the starting XI at the expense of Sebastian Tounekti and did offer Celtic a threat down the right. Wasn’t afraid to take on a man but at times Hassan’s touch was heavy which led to a break down of a few attacks. That sharpness will come with more regular game time. Subbed in the 70th minute.
Duran was outstanding as he got involved to create two goals in quick succession for Celtic. No goal for the Colombian in the first half rout of Hearts. Got his goal early in the second half. He was outstanding today. Subbed on the 59th minute. Was the best player by a country mile.
Young Osmand picked up where he left off last May and broke Hearts with not one, but two, first half goals. His pace and direct running caused the Edinburgh side all sorts of problems. Was subbed at half time as ONeill looked to protect the youngster’s injury recovery.
Jota’s return from injury continued as the winger came on at half time. He immediately got involved, firstly, by getting a needless booking but secondly, to win a free kick that Nygren almost converted for Celtic’s seventh. Looked very sharp for only his second game back.
Didn’t get his goal but Hogh once again was on the assists sheet as he set up Nygren for Celtic’s seventh against Hearts. Slowly but surely the big Dane is showing his worth and once he gets that elusive goal, then he will be a completely different player.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been surprisingly missing from Celtic’s starting XI despite a decent start to the season. Replacing McGregor in the 60th minute, the former Liverpool man put in another solid cameo
Replaced Tierney early in the second half, Emenalo didn’t have much to do mainly down to Celtic being so dominant in the Hearts half.
The Celtic legend was brought on to replace Hassan but Forrest didn’t really have a material effect on the game.