Celtic signalled their intention to match Rangers stride for stride by walking
over Hibernian at Parkhead.
It may have been a scoreline more resounding than the performance which
achieved it, but Celtic will still take comfort from a victory which maintains
their title challenge.
When Craig Burley fired Celtic ahead after 25 minutes it was against the run
of play and little had been done to merit a second before the break from Morten
Wieghorst.
But after the interval it was a different, more composed Celtic who moved
three ahead after 59 minutes through Jackie McNamara.
It was a real training ground move, countless passes around the area then a
final incisive ball from Larsson, with McNamara even having time to miscontrol
before scoring.
After 65 minutes, Regi Blinker's clever pass was ideally paced for Larsson to
round keeper Chris Reid and walk the ball into the net.
In the final minute came the goal of the game, Burley hitting his second from
fully 30 yards after being picked out by Andreas Thom.
It made for a result which perhaps said as much about Hibernian's failings as
Celtic's strengths, but it is enough to lift them second after Rangers' emphatic
win over Hearts.
The success will be a sweet one for Celtic head coach Wim Jansen whose first
league game in charge was a defeat to Hibernian at Easter Road.
Much has changed about Celtic since then, in style as well as personnel, and
the title race now looks poised to be a straight run between themselves and the
ever-dominant Rangers.
Recent signing Harald Brattbakk again had to settle for a place on the bench
as Jansen kept with a five-man midfield with under-fire Blinker among those
retained.
The £2million Norwegian from Rosenborg was used as a late substitute when he
again showed excellent pace if occasionally indifferent touch.
Enrico Annoni and David Hannah stepped in for the injured Marc Rieper
andStephane Mahe, while for the visitors Willie Miller returned from
suspension.
Chic Charnley, who scored the winner when Hibernian defeated Celtic 2-1 in the
Easter Road season opener, was only a substitute.
Hibernian showed surprising confidence in the opening stages bearing in mind
their precarious league placing one off the bottom and could easily have taken
the lead.
Andy Dow had a clear opportunity after 16 minutes but his shot was blocked by
an alert Jonathan Gould and the visitors were soon to pay the price.
Henrik Larsson might have done better when he dragged his shot wide after 20
minutes following an intelligent knockdown by Wieghorst but a goal was
imminent.
Paul Lambert's superb driving run released McNamara whose low cross wasdrilled
past Reid by Burley after 24 minutes.
The former Chelsea midfielder certainly enjoyed the moment - too much so for
referee Stuart Dougal who booked him for over-celebrating the strike.
Pat McGinlay spurned a chance to level on the half-hour mark dragging
hisangled drive the wrong side of the post with Celtic initially failing to
build on their lead.
Their worries ended after 39 minutes when Blinker's corner was turned in by
Wieghorst with a powerful header and second before the interval Larsson's shot
hit a post as Celtic finally relaxed.
After McNamara made it three after 49 minutes, Celtic had a series of near
misses in search of a fourth.
A Larsson pass split the Hibernian backline after 52 minutes but Wieghorst,
trying to place his shot, struck the ball straight at Reid.
Moments later, a long ball clear by Annoni put McNamara free on the right, but
Larsson's skilful deflection on the cross was neatly stopped by Reid.
After 65 minutes, it was four with Larsson's pace embarrassing Reid and what
started as a struggle had become a stroll. Edinburgh has had better footballing
days.
Teams:
Celtic: Gould, Boyd, Hannah, McNamara, Annoni, Stubbs,
Larsson (Jackson 72), Burley, Wieghorst (Brattvakk 66), Lambert,
Blinker (Thom 81).
Booked: Burley, Jackson.
Goals: Burley 23, Wieghorst 38, McNamara 48, Larsson 64,
Burley 90.
Hibernian: Reid, W. Miller, Boco, Dods, Hughes, McQuilken,
Walker (K. Miller 66), Harper, Crawford (Rougier 75),
Dow (Charnley 71), McGinlay.
Booked: McGinlay.
Att: 49,094
Ref: S Dougal (Glasgow).
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