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Stokes brace helps Celtic stay on top

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Celtic 4 Hearts 0: CELTIC MADE a mockery of Hearts’ title credentials with a thrashing at Parkhead …

Thu Jan 27 2011 - 00:00

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Celtic 4 Hearts 0:CELTIC MADE a mockery of Hearts' title credentials with a thrashing at Parkhead last night.

Pre-match talk was of the third-placed Gorgie side challenging the Old Firm for the title but they never recovered after falling behind to a James Forrest goal.

The Hoops created numerous chances in a powerful performance and a second-half double from Anthony Stokes and a goal from Paddy McCourt cemented Celtic’s place at the top of the SPL.

In the 50th minute Stokes struck with a wonderful free-kick to give the home side some breathing space.

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Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre was pulled back outside the Hearts box and from the resultant set-piece the former Hibernian striker curled the ball over the wall.

In the 71st minute Stokes was left to tap into an open goal.

CELTIC: Forster, Wilson, Rogne, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Forrest (McCourt 24), Brown, Kayal (Juarez 82), Ledley, Hooper (Murphy 86), Stokes. Subs not used: Zaluska, Ljungberg, McGinn, Carey. Booked: Wilson, Izaguirre, Brown, Stokes.

HEARTS: Kello, Jonsson, Zaliukas, Bouzid, Wallace, Templeton (Santana 60), Black (Obua 60), Skacel (Palazuelos 45), Mrowiec, Stevenson, Elliott. Subs not used: Balogh, Novikovas, Glen, Craig Thomson. Booked: Skacel, Zaliukas, Black.

Referee: Euan Norris (Scotland).

Bougherra 26

Jelavic 35

Forrest 7, Stokes 53 71,

McCourt 80

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Hibernian 0 Rangers 2

NIKICA JELAVIC marked his first start in almost four months with a goal as Rangers steered their title charge back on track.

The striker, back after ankle surgery, has been tipped to fill the void left by Kenny Miller’s departure and he rose to the challenge at Easter Road, after Madjid Bougherra set the ball rolling with the opener.

HIBERNIAN: Smith, Towell, Dickoh, Hanlon, Booth, Murray (Wotherspoon 64), Rankin, McBride (De Graaf 46), Galbraith, Zemmama (Riordan 63), Nish. Subs not used: Stack, Stevenson, Duffy, Thicot. Booked: McBride, Murray, Hanlon, Towell, Nish.

RANGERS: McGregor, Whittaker, Weir, Bougherra, Papac, Davis, Ness, McCulloch, Naismith, Jelavic (Lafferty 72), Weiss (Edu 67). Subs not used: Alexander, Fleck, Foster, Kerkar, Wylde. Booked: McCulloch, Jelavic.

Referee: Stevie O'Reily (Scotland).