Celtic force pundit to say the quiet part out loud as Scales beats Hoops 'target' to top award - Parkhead news bulletin

There may only be three points between Celtic and Aberdeen, but that's a big enough gap for one radio pundit to declare 'the league is done.'

The Hoops went into lSaturday night's clash with Hearts knowing they had a big chance to turn the screw after the Dons lost to St Mirren and Rangers stumbled against Dundee United earlier in the day. And they took advantage with a 4-1 victory that gives them some daylight at last at the top of the league.

The champions were heavy favourites even before everything fell their way on Saturday but now, bookies are offering as little as 1/20, while Aberdeen (18/1) and Rangers (20/1) are rank outsiders (as per Oddschecker). And former Hearts man Allan Preston sees why as he told BBCSportsound: "We do not have a league title challenge. Aberdeen are now three points behind and they will not catch Celtic now. Rangers are miles away, they are eleven points behind now. The league is done. Celtic are miles and miles ahead.

Liam Scales didn't feature in the win over Hearts with Cameron Carter-Vickers returning and Auston Trusty preferred beside him once again. But while he was getting ready for the trip to Gorgie, he won a big award in his homeland.

He was crowned PFA Ireland's Overseas Player of the Year, ousting Brighton's Evan Ferguson and Ipswich's Sammie Szmodics - the latter of whom was linked with a move to Parkhead while he was still at Blackburn.

Elsewhere former Hoops boss Martin O'Neill was left raving about a perfect day for the club after they stepped it up after a slow first half in Gorgie and came away with a huge win. He was always confident it would come even as Neil Critchley's keep kept it tight in the first 45, and told Sky Sports: “It's a great couple of hours for Celtic