MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 17:35:21| >> :120:48860:48860:
Celtic logo
Scottish Premier League
Jan 19, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Hearts logo

4-1

Samaras (12'), Hooper (2', 85'), Nouioui (90')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Holt (69')

Celtic score four goals to beat Hearts at Celtic Park

Celtic hit four past Hearts
© PA Photos
Celtic defeat Hearts 4-1 to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the SPL.

Celtic scored four goals in a convincing victory against Hearts at Celtic Park this afternoon.

Two goals from striker Gary Hooper helped Neil Lennon's side remain nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic's Gary Hooper scores his second against Hearts on January 19, 2013© PA Photos

Hooper, who was subject to a £5m bid from Norwich City in the week, got Celtic off to a dream start when he fired in to the bottom-left corner of the goal from close range after two minutes.

Greek striker Georgios Samaras then doubled the lead just eight minutes later, finding the back of the net with Kris Commons providing the assist.

The Hoops continued to press but Hearts held out to keep the score at 2-0 at half time.

The Jangos grew into the game in the second half and they got their reward when Jason Holt's deflected shot found a way past second-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

However Celtic's nerves were settled when Scott Brown beat a defender and poked the ball to Hooper, who tapped the ball home to score his eighth goal in four games against the Edinburgh club.

Lassad Nouioui added a finish to a cross from Emilio Izaguirre in injury time to put the gloss on the victory.

ID:64929: cacheID:64929:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2913:
Written by
Grant Yardley
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Gary Hooper celebrates moments after scoring the fourth goal for his team against Hearts on November 28, 2012
Read Next:
Celtic romp to victory at Hearts
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Hibernian173682129-815
9Ross County173681333-2015
10St Johnstone1742112032-1214
11Kilmarnock163581734-1714
12Hearts163491825-713


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!