Rampant Celtic go 17 points clear at top of SPL

Celtic ended a week they started four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a colossal 17-point advantage after a 5-0 win away to Hibernian on Sunday.Second-placed Rangers' 10 point penalty for going into administration, and subsequent 1-0 loss at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday, had left Celtic in a strong position even before they kicked-off at Easter Road.But Gary Hooper's double, as well as goals from Antony Stokes, Charlie Mulgrew and substitute Ki Sung-Yueng saw Celtic pile on the agony for both arch-rivals Rangers and, indeed, second-bottom Hibernian.Stokes headed Celtic into a 14th minute lead against his former club when he was first to Mulgrew's inswinging cross.And six minutes later Celtic were 2-0 in front when, after Stokes had beaten three defenders, the unmarked Hooper scored the first of his two goals.The second half was only two minutes old when Mulgrew added a third goal, with a curling free-kick from more than 20 yards out.Another long range shot, this time from Hooper, bounced over goalkeeper Graham Stack's arms to make it 4-0 before Kris Commons's drive deflected off fellow substitute Ki to complete the scoring 13 minutes from time.Earlier, St Johnstone missed the chance to go fourth after sharing the points in a goalless draw away to Aberdeen at Pittodrie in Sunday's other Scottish top-flight match.

Source: AFP