Hearts returned to Celtic Park looking for revenge but were taught a lesson by the side who snatched the Scottish Premiership title from their grasp. After last season's final-day showdown, the Hoops reminded Wouter Vrancken's team what it takes to win the league trophy with a "devastating" performance. It is a result that moves Martin O'Neill's men four points clear at the top of the table with Hearts left in third, a further four points behind Rangers.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Encouraged by their second-half showing in Thursday's 3-1 Europa League defeat to Benfica, the manager started with the front three that finished that game in Lisbon. And all three - Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran - scored in the 7-1 demolition of their title rivals. Celtic were outstanding at times but Hearts played a part in their own humiliation.
"That first half was devastating. Hearts, I cannot for the life of me work out what they were trying to do there," said Kris Boyd. "To come here and show the lack of respect to Celtic that Hearts have done today would be a wake-up call for me.
"You look at last year, Derek McInnes [then Hearts boss] got criticised for it from a lot of people in terms of just grinding out results. It may be an ugly watch but they were still there. "I don't see any of that Hearts team that's going in the Celtic team.
I don't see any of it, so what would make you think you're better than them?" "That there was an annihilation. I mean, I have never seen anything like it in my life." Hearts had only conceded eight goals in the Premiership this season, before shipping seven in 90 minutes at Celtic Park. "I couldn't work out if Hearts were really poor or Celtic were really good.
It's probably a combination of the two of them," said former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan. "The amount of times that Hearts gave the ball away in really dangerous areas for Celtic, and there would only be two passes and it was a goal, and they continually did it throughout the whole game. "There is levels to football.
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