Celtic leapfrogged Rangers by two points at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 9-0 humiliation of Aberdeen at Parkhead.
In a quite astonishing match, Dons skipper Paul Hartley and Hoops defender Thomas Rogne were sent off by referee Alan Muir as the home side romped to a 4-0 interval lead with doubles from Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes, the Irishman netting two penalties.
Both strikers completed their hat-tricks after the break, while a drive from Joe Ledley, an own-goal by Josh Magennis and a late penalty from Paddy McCourt completed the rout.
In the 25th minute Hartley used his hands to save a goalbound shot from Sung-Yong Ki for which the former Celtic midfielder was handed a straight red by referee Muir, before Stokes slotted in the penalty.
Three minutes later Hooper shrugged off the attention of Zander Diamond after latching on to a Stokes pass to knock the ball past Jamie Langfield from 16 yards and it wasn't long before he grabbed a second after again proving too strong for Diamond at the front post and blasting home a McGinn pass.
There was more controversy in the 40th minute Rogne was sent off for wrestling Chris Maguire to the ground at the edge of the box, referee Muir deeming it a 'last man' situation and Fraser Forster made a great save from the Dons' striker's free-kick.
Seconds from the break Langfield felled Shaun Maloney in the box for another penalty which again Stokes converted.
Then, in the 61st minute, Dons substitute Magennis, on four minutes earlier for Scott Vernon, headed Joe Ledley's cross past his own keeper Langfield to make it five and moments later Hooper completed his hat-trick when he headed in a Stokes cross.
In the 71st minute it was Ledley who appeared to make it seven with a long-range drive which Stokes might have got a touch to although the Irishman was the clear finisher a minute later when he ran clean through the bedraggled Aberdeen rearguard to confidently knock past Langfield.
In the 84th minute Ryan Jack brought down Maloney and McCourt, on for Hooper, drove in the spot-kick and only good fortune prevented double figures on a dark day for the Pittodrie men.
Source: PA
