Celtic stretch unbeaten run with Hearts win

Johan Mjallby watched Celtic stretch their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership to 16 games with a 2-0 win over bottom side Hearts at Parkhead thanks to a goals from Kris Commons and James Forrest then said to the players: "Make it 20."

The Hoops had thrashed the administration-hit visitors 7-0 in their Scottish Cup clash at Tynecastle at the beginning of the month and Jambos boss Gary Locke was keen to ensure there would be no repeat.

However, Commons opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with his 13th of the season before Forrest, on at the start of the second half for Nir Biton, clinched the points with a second in injury-time.

Hoops assistant Mjallby believes the Celtic players and management need “new targets” after being knocked out of the Champions League — the first of which is to go another four league games unbeaten.

He said: “Obviously there is not going to be any more European football this season, so we have to set new targets and incentives for the players.

“Being unbeaten is going to be very important for us and obviously right now, the target is to go 20 games unbeaten and then we take it from there.

“You always look for progress and to do better. Being knocked out of Europe was disappointing but the first target was to get there and hopefully get the same run as last year (last-16 appearance) — but it is quite hard because you are fighting against teams who have bigger financial muscle.”