3 talking points as ruthless Celtic stretch lead over Rangers to six points with Giorgos Giakoumakis on fire

Red-hot Giorgos Giakoumakis bagged his second successive Celtic Park hat-trick as the Premiership pacesetters roared six points clear.

The Greek striker made it five goals for his week following a Scottish Cup double against Dundee United as Ross County were routed.

Giakoumakis grabbed two early headers before slotting home a penalty kick in the second period to take his tally for the term to 11 and further outline his growing importance to the squad.

The on-fire attacker also created a strike for Daizen Maeda as the title chasers swatted the Staggies aside with a sizzling show.

County were already 3-0 down and out of it when a red card for defender Kayne Ramsay deepened their Glasgow gloom.

Malky Mackay’s team can still make the top-six with two games to go, but it’s all about the title for Celtic who go to Ibrox in a fortnight for a showdown at the beginning of next month against Rangers.

Ange Postecoglou’s team could not be in better heart with their unbeaten domestic record now sitting at 31 games and it was never under any threat here as they surged into a three-goal lead with just 26 minutes on the clock.

Celtic were rampant and led after 11 when their high-flying Greek rose superbly to power home a close-range header at the back post from Jota’s delightful cross.

Giakoumakis doubled his tally soon afterwards at the second attempt when his first header from a Maeda knockdown was initially cleared off the line.

Celtic’s attacking was relentless. Callum McGregor clipped into Maeda and his flicked header was brilliantly saved by Ross Laidlaw and the visiting No.1 bettered that with a plunging low touch to divert a fierce strike from the Celtic captain wide.

However, the inevitable third was only delayed for