NafisaCeltic supporters had plenty to celebrate on Sunday afternoon as Martin O’Neill’s side produced a devastating performance against Hearts, sending a clear warning to their Scottish Premiership rivals in the process.
The defending champions arrived at Celtic Park looking to respond after their European defeat to Benfica, but few could have expected the Edinburgh visitors to suffer such a humiliating afternoon. Celtic were relentless from the opening whistle, exposing Hearts’ defensive weaknesses and turning the contest into a one-sided affair.
The damage was already being done inside the opening ten minutes, with Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren scoring to give the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead. The early goals sent the home crowd into full voice, and the travelling supporters were soon hearing exactly what Celtic fans thought of their team’s collapse.
“Hearts, Hearts, Hearts are falling apart again” was the chant ringing around Celtic Park after the Hoops established their two-goal advantage, according to reports from the match. It was a pointed dig at a Hearts side that had entered the fixture with ambitions of challenging near the top of the table.
And as the goals continued to arrive, the taunting only became more painful for the visitors.
Callum Osmand struck twice before the break, while a Jamie McCart own goal helped Celtic establish an astonishing 5-1 half-time lead. Laurent Mendy had briefly given Hearts a lifeline with a fine finish, but the consolation did little to stop the champions from running riot.
The damage was so severe that some Hearts supporters were seen heading towards the exits before half-time, with footage shared by Sky Sports Scotland showing fans leaving while the match was still in progress. For a team hoping to make a statement in Glasgow, it was a difficult scene to watch.
Celtic, meanwhile, showed no signs of easing off after the interval. Camilo Durán added another shortly after the restart, and Nygren completed his brace late in the game to seal a remarkable 7-1 victory.
The result extended Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to four points, putting further pressure on their title rivals after Rangers had dropped points against Dundee the previous day.
But the scoreline was not the only thing that made the afternoon memorable for the home supporters.
After watching their side dismantle Hearts, Celtic fans were treated to one final moment of mockery at full-time. According to The Times, Celtic Park’s sound system played “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division, prompting amusement among the home support as the song’s title fitted the afternoon’s theme of Hearts falling apart.
The stadium’s music choice added another layer to the humiliation, coming after the supporters’ chant had already targeted the visitors’ collapse. It was the sort of post-match moment that Celtic fans could enjoy long after the final whistle, while Hearts were left to reflect on a performance that had unravelled almost immediately.
For O’Neill’s side, the result was about far more than embarrassing a rival. Celtic had faced questions following their European setback, but the emphatic win demonstrated the attacking quality and confidence they can produce when everything clicks.
Osmand’s double, Nygren’s two goals, Tierney’s early breakthrough and Durán’s contribution highlighted the depth of Celtic’s attacking threat. The team also took full advantage of Hearts’ defensive disorganisation, repeatedly finding space and punishing mistakes.
Hearts, on the other hand, must now deal with the consequences of a heavy defeat that will inevitably raise questions about their approach and their ability to compete with the reigning champions.
The visitors had hoped to make life difficult for Celtic, but their defensive problems quickly became impossible to contain. By half-time, the contest was effectively over, and the early departures from the away end underlined just how painful the afternoon had become for some travelling supporters.
Celtic will now look to carry that momentum into their upcoming European fixture against Celta Vigo, while Hearts must regroup quickly with further demanding matches ahead.
For the Celtic faithful, however, Sunday offered a combination of a spectacular victory, a chant that struck directly at their opponents and a final musical dig that ensured the visitors would leave Glasgow with plenty to think about.
Seven goals, a four-point lead and a stadium full of celebrating supporters — Celtic made sure Hearts’ miserable afternoon would be remembered long after the final whistle.
Nafisa
