SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Hibernian 0 Celtic 5:CELTIC'S PROCESSION in Edinburgh only enhanced the party mood of their supporters. No group has taken as much pleasure from Rangers' demise as the Celtic following. Balloons, streamers and all manner of songs about their rivals' slump into administration marked this fixture.
Amid the debate about the value of Rangers to Scottish football the Ibrox club’s oldest foes have made their position abundantly clear. Manager Neil Lennon said: “We just told them to focus on their work and concentrate on this game. They have done that. You could see there was a bit of extra snap in training this week. What has happened [at Rangers] has obviously been a bonus for us. It might have given the players a little lift.”
Celtic’s championship lead, boosted by Rangers’ 10-point deduction, sits at 17.
By the time Rangers play again, at Inverness on Sunday, it could be 23 points.
Pat Fenlon’s Hibs found themselves 4-0 down after 52 minutes. The only surprise thereafter was that Celtic scored only one more.
Republic of Ireland international Anthony Stokes started the rout, with the kind of goal which highlights why Hibs are in such a perilous league position. Stokes headed home Charlie Mulgrew’s corner from all of two yards.
Stokes’s strike partner Gary Hooper doubled the lead with an angled finish. Mulgrew lashed home a free-kick a minute after the interval. Hooper’s second of the afternoon led to a mass exodus from the home support.
Celtic substitute Ki Sung-yueng notched the fifth after converting a Kris Commons cross. Only the crossbar denied Joe Ledley.
“I haven’t seen complacency in this squad for a long, long time. The players know they have to maintain what they are doing if they want to stay in the confines of the squad,” said Lennon.
When, not if, Celtic clinch the title is what is now up for debate.
Lennon revealed Stokes barged his way to the top of the queue for a new contract with his impressive performance at Easter Road.
“That’s Anthony’s best game under me since we brought him in and I couldn’t be more pleased with him today.
“I will review all the contracts at the end of the season but if we get over the line with the championship, he will be at the front of the queue because his contribution has been fantastic,” said Lennon.
Hibs manager Fenlon was already focusing on next business.
“We have a massive game on Wednesday and we have to get the players up for that game and focusing on winning that game.”
Guardian Service
HIBERNIAN: Stack, Doherty (Francomb 46), McPake, Hanlon, Kujabi, Claros, Osbourne, Stevenson, Wotherspoon, Griffiths (O'Donovan 73), Doyle (O'Connor 51). Subs not used: Brown, O'Hanlon, Scott, Sproule. Booked: Griffiths, Stevenson.
CELTIC: Forster, Matthews, Kelvin Wilson, Rogne (Izaguirre 71), Mulgrew, Forrest, Wanyama (Ki 55), Brown, Ledley, Hooper (Commons 61), Stokes. Subs not used: Zaluska, Majstorovic, Samaras, Brozek. Booked: Brown.
Referee: Craig Thomson (Scotland).
