SPL Sunday October 20th

Hearts 1

Celtic 4

0:1 Sutton (3); 0:2 Petrov (9); 0:3 Larsson (27); 0:4 Larsson (42); 1:4 Wales (89)

Att: 13,911

MIB: Kenny Clark

Celtic: Douglas, Balde, Valgaeren (Crainey 75), Laursen; Agathe, Petrov (Thompson 68), Lennon, Lambert, Guppy (hartson 75); Sutton, Larsson

One to savour, as a resurgent Maroon Baloons were crushed, out-gunned and out-classed in a thrilling first 45 minutes. The victory was made all the more sweet at the sight of Jambos teeming away from their seats in disgust after the third and all the more so, by the Lothian and Borders Police wading into the massed sectarian choirs remaining in the Gorgie stand. This erupted into a full scale battle towards the finish of the game and the Police are only to be commended for their action in trying to prevent sectarian abuse within the ground; it's been a long time coming at this particular place.

On the pitch, despite predictions of an upset by the hacks it was all over after ten minutes. Sutton was causing panic in the Hearts rear-guard and netted after three minutes, turning Mc Kenna in the box and firing low into the goal.

The second was spectacular, as Celtic tore apart the Jambos quicker than the bookies dockets of the expectant Hacks. Guppy cannoned a shot off the post which was met from all of 30 yards out by Stan, who blasted it into the pokey.

The maroon football masquerade was finished and Hearts looked as destroyed as former Blue Peter presenters exposed in the Sunday tabloids. It was after the half hour before Larsson twisted the knife again . Having missed an open goal with a shot of Van Vossen proportions that sailed over the stand, he reacted like lightening to a Sutton header that had rebounded off the bar, slamming the ball off the keeper into the net.

Larsson completed his brace after 42 minutes. Put clear by Balde, he raced from an offside position, to slip the ball home for the fourth. By this stage the Gorgie road was full of Wet farts heading home.

The second half saw Celtic ease off, with Valgaeren and Larsson guilty of some seriously bad misses. The Jambos got a consolation at the death, but who cared, so comprehensive was the victory and so good was the first half form. It bodes well with the Beast due in Glasgow for Hallowe'en.