Anthony Stokes hat-trick inspires Inverness Caledonian Thistle rout

Anthony Stokes bagged a hat-trick as Celtic thumped Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6-0 at Parkhead this afternoon.

Despite the comfortable margin of victory, the visitors frustrated the Scottish Premiership champions for the best part of half-an-hour before their resistance waned.

The Republic of Ireland international fired the Bhoys ahead on 34 minutes by heading a Leigh Griffiths cross beyond goalkeeper Dean Brill.

The 25-year-old soon added his second and third goals of the afternoon either side of the break.

First, Stokes converted Griffiths's cut-back pass to give the hosts a 2-0 half-time lead, before completing his treble eight minutes into the second half from the penalty spot.

Having bagged two assists, it was Griffiths' turn to get his name on the scoresheet as the former Wolverhampton Wanderers hitman was unselfishly teed up by his Irish strike partner to add the fourth.

Two goals in as many minutes from Efe Ambrose and Teemu Pukki added gloss to the scoreline later in the half, as Neil Lennon's men moved within eight of the 100-point mark in the Premiership table.