Hearts 1-4 Celtic: Analysis

Neil Critchley tweaked his system for the visit of the champions, dropping Kenneth Vargas in favour of another body in midfield, and it paid dividends early on.

Hearts pinched possession in dangerous areas, limited Celtic's chances to a minimum, and really should have gone into half-time with at least a one-goal lead.

Blair Spittal appeared not to realise the space and time he had inside two minutes when he scuffed his effort into Kasper Schmeichel's grateful arms, and the industrious James Penrice carved out multiple opportunities down Hearts’ left flank.

He twice teed up Lawrence Shankland, who shot tamely wide before heading straight at Schmeichel.

They were the type of chances the Scotland striker took without thinking last season, but he is a player clearly short of confidence after scoring just once in all competitions this term.

You sensed Hearts would be punished for their profligacy and so it proved. The first defensive lapse of any kind resulted in the opening goal and Critchley's side never truly recovered.

Still, Critchley will take some positives despite the scoreline, not least Musa Drammeh, who displayed an eye for goal Hearts have sorely lacked in recent weeks.