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Celtic logo
Scottish Premier League
Jan 19, 2013 at 3pm UK
 
Hearts logo

4-1

Samaras (12'), Hooper (2', 85'), Nouioui (90')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Holt (69')

Celtic score four goals to beat Hearts at Celtic Park

Celtic hit four past Hearts
© PA Photos
Celtic defeat Hearts 4-1 to maintain their nine-point lead at the top of the SPL.

Celtic scored four goals in a convincing victory against Hearts at Celtic Park this afternoon.

Two goals from striker Gary Hooper helped Neil Lennon's side remain nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

Celtic's Gary Hooper scores his second against Hearts on January 19, 2013© PA Photos

Hooper, who was subject to a £5m bid from Norwich City in the week, got Celtic off to a dream start when he fired in to the bottom-left corner of the goal from close range after two minutes.

Greek striker Georgios Samaras then doubled the lead just eight minutes later, finding the back of the net with Kris Commons providing the assist.

The Hoops continued to press but Hearts held out to keep the score at 2-0 at half time.

The Jangos grew into the game in the second half and they got their reward when Jason Holt's deflected shot found a way past second-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska.

However Celtic's nerves were settled when Scott Brown beat a defender and poked the ball to Hooper, who tapped the ball home to score his eighth goal in four games against the Edinburgh club.

Lassad Nouioui added a finish to a cross from Emilio Izaguirre in injury time to put the gloss on the victory.

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Written by
Grant Yardley
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Gary Hooper celebrates moments after scoring the fourth goal for his team against Hearts on November 28, 2012
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314


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