Kris Boyd has compared Celtic’s devastating display against Hearts to Ange Postecoglou’s side after the Hoops ran out 7-1 winners on Sunday.

Martin O’Neill’s men delivered a proper Celtic performance at Parkhead, combining attacking intent with the clinical finishing that has too often been missing this season.

Callum Osmand marked his first Celtic start with two goals, while Benjamin Nygren also netted twice during an afternoon packed with encouraging individual displays.

Kieran Tierney, Camilo Duran and a Jamie McCart own goal completed the scoring as Celtic put seven past Hearts.

The pace of Celtic’s attacking play particularly impressed Boyd, who felt the performance brought back memories of the football supporters enjoyed under Postecoglou.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Boyd said:

“There are levels in football. 

“You look at Celtic and they’re still the team to beat in the Scottish Premiership.

“Rangers obviously beat them here last time but I think when Celtic are on it (they’re the team to beat).

“That was annihilation. I have never seen anything like that in my life.

“To come here and show a lack of respect to Celtic like that…it would be a wake-up call for me.

“Hearts were still trying to go toe to toe with Celtic in 89 minutes when they were 7-1 down.

“It was incredible. I have never seen a game like that where Hearts have tried to go toe to toe with a better team, player for player.

“You have to pay respect to Celtic, even when they have been struggling.
“If you try to go man for man like that, they will demolish you.

“That’s exactly what happened.

“That is as close as I’ve seen to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic team since he left.

“They attacked with pace and the first half was devastating.

“But I cannot for the life of my work out what Hearts were trying to do.

“It went from bad to worse for them as the game went on.”

Hearts certainly left themselves exposed, but Celtic still had to exploit those openings. They did so with a conviction that should give O’Neill plenty to build on.

The movement gave players options on the ball, attacks carried a clear purpose and chances were finished ruthlessly. It was the sort of performance supporters have been waiting to see.

Now it has to become a turning point.

One emphatic victory cannot answer every question raised by Celtic’s recent performances, but Sunday showed what this group can produce. The challenge is to carry that same ambition and intensity into the games ahead.