CELTIC GO FROM SLOPPY TO SENSATIONAL

Celtic were uncharacteristically off their game for a long period during the first half after a relatively bright start, allowing Hearts into the contest and drawing murmurs of discontent from the home crowd on occasion.

Even after Joel Pereira done them a turn by letting Olivier Ntcham’s opener squirm into the net, they didn’t look at their free-flowing best until a half-time chat with Neil Lennon which clearly had the desired effect.

Within 43 seconds, they had killed the game through Jullien’s header, and then it started raining goals as Hearts just couldn’t live with their pace and movement.

It was a sensational turnaround as the champions flexed their muscles, and it could have been even more as Hearts wilted in the face of their pressure.

The half-time single goal lead may have flattered Celtic slightly, but the five-goal margin of victory was entirely deserved by the end of the 90 minutes.

LEIGH GRIFFITHS AND CHRISTOPHER JULLIEN A DEADLY PARTNERSHIP FROM SET-PIECES

A lot has been said and written about the blossoming partnership between the Celtic strikers since Neil Lennon shifted to a 3-5-2 formation, and rightly so, with the pair proving a threat here once again with their instinctive link-up play.

A less likely but almost as deadly combination though is forming between Griffiths and Celtic centre-half Jullien when it comes to set-pieces, with the former providing the latter with a perfect corner to head home their side’s second on the night.

It was the same at Kilmarnock, and the combination of the attacker’s deliveries and the height and physical presence of Jullien is such a valuable weapon in Celtic’s attacking arsenal.

GREG TAYLOR MAKING HIS MARK

After having to bide his time to make the left-back spot his own since his big-money summer move from Kilmarnock, there can be little doubt now that Taylor has nailed down his spot ahead of Jonny Hayes and Boli Bolingoli.

He added to a spate of impressive recent performances here as he dominated the left-hand side, bombing forward at every opportunity and using the ball well when he did so.

Could claim two assists by the end of a very productive night.

GOALS EVERYWHERE IN THIS CELTIC TEAM

For all the sterling work of Griffiths and Edoaurd in terrorising defences of late, neither of the strikers were on the scoresheet here as the goals were shared around; two from centre-halfs, two from midfield and the only goal from a real attacker coming from Christie.

It’s ominous for opposition teams who may try to keep the frontmen quiet, because even if they succeed, there are threats from almost everywhere else sprinkled throughout Lennon’s side.

WORRYING SIGNS FOR TINKERMAN DANIEL STENDEL

Daniel Stendel has won admirers for his high-pressing style, or ‘Gorgiepressen’, if you prefer, since arriving at Hearts. They started the match with his players sitting off though, which initially invited pressure before they settled into the game and enjoyed a decent spell in the first half.

Somewhat surprisingly then with his team comfortable and well in the contest, Stendel signalled a change in tack by sending Conor Washington on for young Anthony McDonald with less than half an hour on the clock, and Celtic scored almost immediately following the change.

That had more to do with the sloppy goalkeeping of Joel Pereira than Stendel’s tactics though, but the more concerning aspect for the Hearts boss will be just how easily his side folded in the second half.

As soon as the second went in, the heads went down, before substitute Marcel Langer lost the head altogether with a late lunge on Brown that brought a red card.