Debut for promising Hearts teenager as Celtic all but seal Premiership title

Not since 2007 have the Edinburgh club won a league fixture at Celtic Park, a wait that will continue into next season following this Saturday lunchtime encounter.

Despite Ellis Simms giving Hearts an early lead, the hosts were 2-1 ahead by half-time thanks to Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi. Matt O’Riley scored their third just after the midway point of the second half to guarantee victory.

The three points means Celtic are just one point away from officially being crowned champions for season 2021/22. A superior goal difference over second-placed Rangers ensures they are unlikely to be overtaken.

With three league games left before the Scottish Cup final, Hearts were still nursing some influential players back from injury ahead of this trip west. They shunted Toby Sibbick from defence into midfield for this match as captain Craig Gordon made his 250th appearance for the club.

They also handed 18-year-old forward Murray Thomas a debut in the final minutes. He is part of Riccarton’s under-18 squad under Steven Naismith.

They competed well and created several decent scoring opportunities throughout the 90 minutes. They also had a right to feel aggrieved at Maeda’s equaliser given Sibbick was impeded by Callum McGregor while in possession moments beforehand.

Celtic’s 4-3-3 formation included a first start since December for David Turnbull following the midfielder’s recovery from hamstring damage. The first thing the hosts had to do was recover from an early setback when Simms broke the deadlock.

Liam Boyce flicked a deflected cross into the Englishman’s path for a touch, spin and clinical finish beyond Joe Hart. Appeals for offside were ignored and the goal stood.

Gordon saved low attempts from Turnbull and Kyogo before