SPL champions-in-waiting Celtic put in a majestic performance as they hammered struggling Hibernian 5-0 at Easter Road on Sunday.
Victory for Celtic would have seen them move 17 points clear of nearest rivals Rangers following their ten point penalty for going into administration and surprise home defeat to Kilmarnock yesterday and the Parkhead men duly obliged courtesy of two Gary Hooper goals and strikes from Anthony Stokes, Charlie Mulgrew and Sung-Yeung Ki.
Neil Lennon’s men showed their intent from the off and Hibs goalkeeper Stack was forced to make reflex save with his foot within a minute of the start to keep out a cheeky Gary Hooper flick.
They were ahead on 14 minutes when Anthony Stokes sent a powerful header past the helpless Stack from six yards. Hibs tried to hit back immediately, but Griffiths was high and wide with a free kick from the edge of the box.
Celtic were two up on 21 minutes when Hooper carried the ball out of his own half, laid it off to Stokes wide on the left, and then collected the return to drill a low shot past Stack from ten yards. It was no more than they deserved as the home side struggled to compete with the league leaders who looked capable of scoring every time they attacked.
Joe Ledley nearly extended the lead on 37 minutes, but his rasping drive was just inches over the top as the Hibs defence stood off .
Charlie Mulgrew made it 3-0 within two minutes of the restart with a sublime free-kick from just outside the box which curled beyond the wall into the top corner. Stokes almost made it four moments later as Neil Lennon’s charges threatened to run riot.
Hooper got his second and Celtic’s fourth on 52 minutes with a low shot from a wide angle which Stack should have kept out but could only help into the far corner .
The rout was complete on 77 minutes when Ki turned in a speculative Kris Commons cross to make it five and compound Hibs boss Pat Fenlon’s misery.