Six in a Row: Celtic blast Hearts 5-0 to secure SPFL title

Celtic came in to its match against Hearts knowing a victory meant a sixth straight Scottish Premiership title. The hosts apparently knew that as well, and they made life difficult for the Bhoys.

However, they had no answer for Scott Sinclair, who netted a hattrick, and Celtic took home a 5-0 victory at Tynecastle.

It seems as if the attacker has a knack for showing up big in big moments, and Sunday was no different. After 20 minutes of Hearts controlling the game, it took just three minutes for Sinclair to notch a pair of goals and put Celtic in full control of the match.

Celtic then made sure to make this game a no-doubter quickly in to the second half and it was all over but the title winning party.

The win secured Celtic its sixth straight Scottish Premiership title, something that seemed obvious from early days in this season. It is also the second of the domestic treble to be officially secured for the Hoops.

All of it in manager Brendan Rodgers’ first season in charge at the club.

The game plan from Hearts seemed obvious early on. In the first four minutes Hearts had two yellow card-worthy challenges and an actual yellow card. Hearts were not going to give up the title on their ground without a good kicking to Celtic.

Hearts continued the plot six minutes later, kicking Craig Gordon in the head as the Celtic keeper reached for a rebounded shot. It was a challenge that wasn’t near the ball, but never went punished by the ref.

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Meanwhile, Hearts game plan also served to put them on the front foot. The crowd at Tynecastle were treated to the hosts having most of the attacking early on in the match. Gordon was up to the challenge though.

After some nervy play in the first 20 minutes, Celtic began to find its attacking footing. That attacking play paid off in the 24th minute, as Scott Sinclair and Patrick Roberts worked a great one-two pass to free Sinclair for a blistering strike and a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute.

Once the first one went in, it was all over but the actual title celebration. Sinclair made sure to dampen any hopes of a Hearts comeback, getting on the end of another great releasing pass by Roberts.

This time it was a big run and a cool finish one-on-one with the keeper for a 2-0 lead in the 27th minute. Sinclair’s two goals tied him with teammate Moussa Dembele for the Scottish Premiership lead with 17 goals on the season.

While the Bhoys were ready to have a party, Hearts supporters were none-too-happy to see the Hoops leading 2-0 and there was nearly a horrific incident between a Hearts supporters and Mikael Lustig.

Luckily Lustig kept his cool after having a ball thrown at his mid-section and other Hearts supporters shouting and grabbing at him on the sideline.

Celtic weren’t letting up as the second half got under way. Only a shocking ref decision on an own goal that was somehow called offsides took away a potential 3-0 scoreline early in to the second half.

Patrick Roberts, making an emergency start as a striker made sure to make his mark on the match next. His was an absolutely clinical finish, putting it in to the opposite side netting and leaving Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton with no chance.

Insult to Hearts injury came in the final 10 minutes, as Scott Sinclair was set free on goal. Nowak could do nothing but foul him and Sinclair buried the penalty kick easily for his hattrick and a 5-0 scoreline.

The Bhoys celebrated a title in front of 1,500 Celtic supporters, doing the huddle in front of the supporters after Sinclair’s penalty goal.

Now the attention will turn to winning the treble and continuing an unbeaten season in domestic play. For now, we’ll all have a party and raise a toast to the Champions here in March again!!