Furuhashi’s double inspires win over Hearts and extends Celtic’s lead | Scottish Premiership

Kyogo Furuhashi struck two objectives as Celtic’s victory over Hearts ­maintained the prospect of a title get together towards Rangers.

The Japan striker was on ­goal twice within the first quarter and Matt O’Riley transformed a late penalty because the Premiership leaders moved six factors and eight objectives forward of Rangers, who host Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Something lower than a Rangers win would give Celtic the prospect to clinch a 3rd ­consecutive title once they host their huge rivals subsequent Saturday.

Even when Rangers beat Kilmarnock, a win for Celtic would go away them on the verge of championship success they usually warmed up for the largest sport of the season with an ­spectacular show at a loud Celtic Park.

A string of saves from the Hearts ­goalkeeper, Zander Clark, prevented Celtic from additional consolidating their objective distinction benefit.

Hearts had received the earlier two conferences between the groups and the guests gave nearly as good as they received within the opening phases, coming got here near a first-minute lead. Lawrence Shankland seemed ­sure to attain after Dexter Lembikisa’s ­cutback however Cameron Carter-Vickers threw ­himself in the best way of the ­striker’s effort to divert the ball behind.

The house facet have been forward within the fourth minute after Clark punched O’Riley’s nook out to the sting of the field. Reo Hatate lobbed the ball again into the goalmouth for Furuhashi to nod residence.

Though Shankland had retreated to the road, there was a detailed VAR test for offside as Clark was initially forward of the Celtic striker when Hatate collected the ball.

Hearts quickly threatened once more when Joe Hart produced a superb one-handed cease from Cammy Devlin’s volley and Carter-Vickers headed simply over because the end-to-end motion continued.

Celtic doubled their lead within the twenty first minute after O’Riley lofted a ball excessive of the defence. Furuhashi cushioned a volley together with his weaker proper foot into the ­backside ­nook of the online.

Celtic completed the half strongly and Clark made saves from Greg Taylor, O’Riley and Furuhashi.

The league leaders continued the place they left off after the break and Clark made a double cease from Hatate and O’Riley earlier than James Forrest twice got here shut.

The noise of the house followers elevated and sliding tackles from Callum McGregor and Furuhashi as they tracked again sparked ovations not far off what had greeted the objectives.

Hearts had one second-half likelihood however Hart stood as much as make a last-ditch cease from Yutaro Oda after Oda had performed a one-two with fellow ­substitute Scott Fraser.

Celtic made the guests pay when O’Riley transformed an 87th-­minute penalty after Shankland was ­penalised for ­handball after the referee, Kevin Clancy, had been referred to as to his monitor.

Substitute Daizen Maeda was denied by Clark from shut vary and the Inexperienced Brigade supporters declared ­themselves “impatient for the ­coming struggle” with a banner that sparked chants of “deliver on the Rangers” within the closing phases.

Rodgers echoed the sentiment. “What actually happy me was, in a giant sport, we had huge ­performances and massive contributions from these gamers,” he advised BBC Scotland. “That units us up properly for subsequent week.”