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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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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
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen12101125121331
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian131571222-108


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