Kyogo Furuhashi struck his first double of the season as Celtic’s 3-0 victory over Hearts maintained the prospect of a title party against Rangers.
The Japanese attacker was on target twice in the first quarter and Matt O’Riley converted a late penalty as the cinch Premiership leaders moved six points and eight goals ahead of Rangers, who host Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Anything less than a Rangers win against the Ayrshire side would give Celtic the chance to clinch a third consecutive title when they host their city rivals next Saturday.
Even if Rangers beat Kilmarnock, a derby win for Brendan Rodgers’ side would leave them on the verge of championship success and they warmed up for the biggest game of the season with an impressive display at a noisy Celtic Park.
A string of saves from Hearts goalkeeper Zander Clark prevented Celtic from further consolidating their goal difference advantage.
Hearts had won the previous two meetings between the teams but Celtic were at full strength for the first time this season after Daizen Maeda recovered from a hamstring injury to take his place on the bench.
The visitors gave as good as they got in the opening stages and came close to a first-minute lead.
Lawrence Shankland looked certain to score after Dexter Lembikisa’s cutback but Cameron Carter-Vickers threw himself in the way of the striker’s effort to divert the ball behind for a corner.
The home side were ahead in the fourth minute after Clark punched O’Riley’s corner out to the edge of the box. Reo Hatate lobbed the ball back into the goalmouth for Furuhashi to nod home.
Although Shankland had retreated to the line, there was a close VAR check for offside as Clark was initially ahead of the Celtic striker as Hatate collected the ball.
Hearts soon threatened again when Joe Hart produced a brilliant one-handed stop from Cammy Devlin’s volley and Carter-Vickers headed just over as the end-to-end action continued.
Celtic doubled their lead in the 21st minute after O’Riley lofted a ball over the top of the visiting defence. Furuhashi cushioned a volley with his weaker right foot into the bottom corner of the net.
Celtic finished the half strongly and Clark made saves from Greg Taylor, O’Riley and Furuhashi, each of them better than the previous one.
The league leaders continued where they left off after the break and Clark made a double stop from Hatate and O’Riley before James Forrest twice came close.
The noise of the home fans increased as Celtic looked to boost their goal difference and sliding tackles from Callum McGregor and Furuhashi as they tracked back sparked ovations not far off what had greeted the goals.
Hearts had one second-half chance but Hart stood up to make a last-ditch stop from Yutaro Oda after the Japanese attacker had played a one-two with fellow substitute Scott Fraser.
O’Riley slammed an 87th-minute penalty into the top corner after Shankland was penalised for handball after referee Kevin Clancy had been called to his monitor.
Substitute Maeda was denied by Clark from close range and the Green Brigade supporters declared themselves “impatient for the coming fight” with a banner that sparked chants of “bring on the Rangers” in the closing stages.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Let's see at the statistics of the 4 Lords. And Man City are back. PSG are reportedly helping save Lyon from RELEGATION to Ligue 2! PALMEIRAS BEAT BOTAFOGO IN EXTRA TIME TO REACH THE LAST EIGHT OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have The HARDEST ROUTE to The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup FINAL! It took a long delay and extra time, but Chel...
Williams demands guarantee from Barca amid fears of Olmo situationAccording to Marca, Nico Williams has reportedly informed Athletic Club through his agent that he wants to don the Barcelona shirt from next season and is close to signing a six-year contract. However, the player reportedly wants a guarantee from Barca that they will be able to register him with La Liga after triggering his release ...
ATLANTA -- Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique warned his players against ignoring the offensive threats of Inter Miami in Sunday's Club World Cup round-of-16 match, emphasizing the damage that can be done by experienced stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets."Anyone who relaxes for 10 seconds in football already knows where they are. It's not like there's no dou...
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League for a third successive season in 2024-25 – but the fact that Liverpool leapfrogged them was undoubtedly frustrating.In 2022-23, the Gunners were runners-up with 84 points, five points behind champions Manchester City. A year later, they improved to 89 points, closing the gap to Pep Guardiola's side to two points.The 2024-25 campaign looked like t...
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly keen to bring in his former colleague Acacio Valentim as part of a coaching reshuffle.The Portuguese boss is eager to avoid another disappointing season following a wretched first year in charge. In his debut season, Amorim led the Red Devils to a 14th place finish in the Premier League and suffered defeat in the Europa League final against Spur...
Cristiano Ronaldo to join up with Portuguese boss at Al-NassrAl-Nassr have reached an agreement with veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus and look set to announce him as their new manager.The Saudi Pro League club have been looking for a new manager following Stefano Pioli’s decision to step down and return to Italy with Fiorentina.Jesus, 70, who left Al-Hilal at the end of the 2024-25 campa...
Raphinha keen to see Nico Williams at BarcelonaBarcelona winger Raphinha was full of praise for reported target Nico Williams as the club step up their pursuit of the Spain international.Barcelona are working tirelessly to bring the 22-year-old to the Camo Nou having been heavily linked with him for the past two years.Williams is understood to be keen on the move but his current club, Athletic, ar...
Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid won't take Juventus lightlyTrent Alexander-Arnold says Real Madrid players are determined to win the Club World Cup.Real will meet Juventus in the tournament's round of 16 this weekend.New fullback signing Alexander-Arnold declared: "Both are very good teams (City and Juve), not least because they made it through the group stage."It's always going to be tough, no matt...
Pogba drops fresh Monaco move teaser onlinePaul Pogba has hinted he's set to undergo his medical with AS Monaco.The France international is due to sign for Monaco as a free agent after he passes his medical tests in the Principality.Pogba has dropped a hint on social media about his activities amid reports that he is due in France this weekend to complete his return to football.Pogba posted a self...
Raphinha happy to see Barcelona miss out on FIFA Club World CupBarcelona ace Raphinha has criticised the sheer number of game top clubs are having to play as the FIFA Club World Cup reaches the latter stages.Barcelona missed out on a place in the FIFA Club World Cup due to their poor performances in recent Champions League campaign.Raphinha doesn’t appear to be too bothered, however, hitting...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Arsenal interested in signing Cristhian Mosquera
- 3 Wayne Rooney gets Erling Haaland ponytail in shock new look
- 4 Arsenal have little chance of Liverpool target
- 5 Man United close in on Bryan Mbeumo
- 6 Chelsea transfer at 'final stages'
- 7 Man Utd close in on Bryan Mbeumo! Red Devils agree £60m+ fee with Brentford as Premier League rivals iron out final transfer details
- 8 Alfie makes clear Haaland commitment to Man City
- 9 Club World Cup 2025: Benfica v Chelsea predictions, best bets and odds
- 10 Salzburg vs Real Madrid Prediction 27 June 2025