John McGlynn: 'Scoreline flattered Celtic'

Hearts manager John McGlynn has insisted that his side were unlucky to lose by such a heavy margin in their 4-0 defeat to Celtic.

The champions were 3-0 up by the half-hour mark before Gary Hooper completed the rout late on, but the Jambos boss believes that the scoreline flattered Celtic.

"Celtic were clinical tonight, very clinical," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying.

"We put a lot into the game but you just cannot hide from the scoreline although it is not a true reflection on the game.

"The stats were very even but Celtic have got very good players and when they are on song as they were tonight then they are very difficult to play against."

McGlynn went on to praise the attitude of his players and identified numerous positives to take from the match.

"Although it was a disappointing defeat there are many positives to take from the game," he added.

"I thought Ryan McGowan was excellent. He had a great game at right back and going forward all night. Jason Holt was another to have a great night.

"It also has to be said that Fraser Forster was different class. He made a brilliant save from the penalty and another from a free kick as well as one or two others. He is a great form at the moment."

The result leaves Celtic one point clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a game in hand over second-placed Hibernian, while Hearts lie in ninth.