Celtic played like champions-elect as they brushed Hearts aside 3-0 at Parkhead to move six points clear in the Scottish Premiership title race. Two first-half goals from Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi - who took his tally to 18 for the season - and a Matt O'Riley penalty three minutes from time fired the hosts to an impressive victory.

Brendan Rodgers had asked for his team to apply 'scoreboard pressure' on rivals Rangers - who are not in action until tomorrow against Kilmarnock at Ibrox - and they got off to the perfect start when Kyogo expertly headed home from six yards after Reo Hatate had cleverly lofted the ball back into the danger area following Matt O'Riley's corner kick from the right.

Celtic doubled their lead on 21 minutes with a goal of stunning quality. PFA Scotland Player of the Year nominee hit an incredible 60-yard crossfield diagonal to the feet of Kyogo who cushioned the ball home on the drop to make it 2-0. O'Riley deservedly got his name on the scoresheet three minutes from time when he calmly slotted home from the spot after Lawrence Shankland was correctly penalised for a handball in the box.

It's now over to Rangers to set up a humdinger of a Glasgow derby next weekend but Rodgers' Celtic have found their groove at a critical juncture of the campaign.

Kyogoal does it again for Celtic

The Japanese talisman bagged the first two goals for Celtic and had the champions 2-0 up and cruising at the interval. Interestingly enough as Kyogo took his tally to 18 for the season this was the first time he had scored more than one goal in a match. The attacker was absolutely lethal in the first 45 minutes. He latched onto Reo Hatate's clever lofted ball back into the danger area to pounce and steer a six-yard header home for the opening goal after just four minutes. He then showed superb technique to guide the second home following Matt O'Riley's magnificent diagonal pass. Kyogo made the early run as he darted in between the Hearts defender which his teammate expertly spotted. The ball was in the air for a long time but Kyogo never took his eyes off it and in a split second he had cushioned it home on the drop for a fantastic strike that had the hosts two to the good. He was denied a first-half hat-trick by Zander Clark in the Hearts goal. The predator extraordinaire was back in the ball game and there is nobody better in the country than Kyogo when he is in this kind of mood.

Matt O'Riley produces the assist of the season

What a week it has been for the Danish international midfielder. The 23-year-old showed exactly why he has been nominated for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year. O'Riley lit up Celtic Park with an incredible assist for Kyogo's second goal. It was a sensational pass from O'Riley as he looked up and arced a beautiful long ball into the striker's path and the deadly finisher did the rest. You would not be doing it a disservice if you labelled the assist as Andrea Pirloesque. Even Kevin de Bryune would have been proud of that one. O'Riley also became Glasgow Children's Hospital's first video game volunteer as he decided to give up three hours a week to play computer games with children. O'Riley must have learned some nifty moves on the game console as his unbelievable pass was straight out of a video game. It genuinely was that good. He was denied a goal in the first when Zander Clark saved his well-drilled low effort from the edge of the box. This was vintage O'Riley and he strutted his funky stuff in an outstanding display for the champions. Is it any wonder that Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid covet Celtic's prized asset? O'Riley is going to scale the highest levels of the game. There is so much to admire. He is in truth levels above his peers and should win the Player of the Year award. The Celtic faithful should enjoy his football nonchalance and elegance whilst they still can.

Joe Hart is committed to the Celtic cause

Joe Hart made a huge contribution to the Celtic cause and it is well documented that he is hanging up his gloves at the end of the campaign. It was the former Manchester City and England shot-stopper who produced another huge moment when he saved magnificently from Cammy Devlin. It was a big turning point in the game and the hosts got a massive lift from it. Hart looks as though he is on some sort of personal crusade to win the league and Scottish Cup double. If he does then he will bow out of Glasgow's east end a cult hero. He has embraced the club and its culture from day one and nobody has relished representing the colours and the Celtic badge more than Hart. If there is any justice in the world he will bow out with two more winners medals tucked into his hipper and leave a Celtic legend when he finally does hang up his gloves. Whoever comes in will have huge gloves to fill.

Celtic apply 'scoreboard pressure'

Rodgers had asked for his men to apply 'scoreboard pressure' on Rangers by securing another vital three points. The Northern Irishman's team delivered and then some to move six points clear in the title race. The pendulum of pressure now swings back down Ibrox way as Phillipe Clement's men now have to beat Kilmarnock or else they could set up a title decider next weekend at Celtic Park if they don't. Celtic are now in the wonderful position where they can sit back, relax and care not a jot about what happens at Ibrox. Celtic are six points clear and are eight goals better off. The champions may well have rediscovered their mojo at a crucial time.