Celtic are six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a strong 3-0 victory over Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Paradise was rocking to cheer on the title-chasing Bhoys, getting right behind the team in a combative and exciting game of football.
Kyogo Furuhashi was the hero of the day, first scoring a superb reflex header after just four minutes before latching on to Matt O’Riley’s glorious pass to fire first time past Zander Clark. O’Riley then rounded off the scoring late on with a penalty.
Hearts did have their own moments in the game but Chris Sutton’s pre-match fears were unfounded – Celtic kept the clean sheet and boosted their goal difference, which could be important come the end of the season.
What are the big talking points coming out of the match? Here are three of ours.
Celtic pile pressure on Rangers
In his pre-match media conference, Brendan Rodgers notably didn’t play down Celtic’s chance to put a bit of pressure on Rangers this weekend. Usually a topic handwaved away by managers, Rodgers talked about the ‘scoreboard pressure’ of going six points clear of their title rivals, admitting it could be a factor.
Philippe Clement’s side remain favourites to take care of Kilmarnock at home on Sunday but they now face 50,000 potentially restless home fans and the absolute necessity to pick up all three points. If they don’t start well, it could well be a very nervy afternoon for them.
Celtic also now know they will go into next week’s derby at Celtic Park in a very strong position, regardless of what happens at Ibrox on Sunday. It’s a great position to be in. Everything is in the Bhoys’ hands.
Kyogo’s first double of the season
Given his goalscoring exploits over three seasons at Celtic, you may well be surprised to find out that Kyogo’s double today was his first of the entire campaign. He’d only ever scored single goals this term, before this afternoon.
He has good timing, doesn’t he? We needed the Japanese star to step up in another massive game and he obliged.
Kyogo now has 10 goals in 12 matches against Hearts. That makes them the most punished opponent of his entire career. No one has suffered more against the electric striker than the Tynecastle club. Very satisfying.
Celtic’s player of the year
For me, Matt O’Riley is Celtic’s standout player of the year and today was more proof of it. He was a superb attacking presence for the Bhoys, not just scoring and assisting but providing a creative threat all day.
He is registering a goal or assist every 123 minutes on average this season, which is a really excellent return from midfield. Opponents at home and abroad have struggled to contain him.
Now peaking again in this closing run of matches, he can be the inspiring presence we need to go on and win the final four games and win this double.