Martin O'Neill casts Hearts title race prediction as Celtic boss states what he didn't expect from Jambos
Hearts were taken apart by Celtic in their Premiership meeting at Parkhead.
Martin O’Neill insists Hearts will continue to challenge Celtic for Premiership supremacy - despite a 7-1 hammering at Parkhead.
A calamitous first half in Glasgow’s east-end had Wouter Vrancken’s side shipping five goals off to the champions and another two were added after half-time. It was a sobering reality check for last season’s runners-up who are eight points off Celtic in first, with tests not getting any easier, travelling to Turkey’s Trabzonspor on Conference League duty next.
Hoops manager O’Neill thought it was a lesson in being ruthless following their midweek Europa League loss vs Benfica but admitted he did not expect Hearts to concede the amount they did. He fully expects Vrancken’s team to be in the title race though alongside themselves and Rangers after being pushed to the final day by the Tynecastle side last term.
Celtic 7-1 Hearts assessed
O’Neill said: “I thought we played really well in the game, really well. A couple of early skirmishes around our penalty box, then we got the goal from the first real proper attack I think we had, scored from the corner and we took it on from there, so we played really well today.
“I think actually the manner in which we got through, breaking up play and getting forward, obviously finishing the chances that we had off. This time last week we created a lot of chances against Motherwell, didn't take them, today we took them and that was probably the most pleasing thing.
“I think it was a great win, I thought the performance was great, certainly gave us confidence going into Thursday evening and maybe try and continue that on. I think some of the players getting moments as well too on the field, I think all of that there helps.
Martin O’Neill on Hearts title chances
“It was a tough evening on Thursday against a very good side, but I thought the second half performance actually did give us that sort of confidence to go into the game, although did I think we were going to score seven goals? I think we were four points behind with about seven games to go last season. So it can be eroded very, very quickly.
”It is nice to win and win in the manner in which we did. From Hearts' viewpoint, probably just a bad day at the office. And they will still be challengers. They've got some really decent players who can play a bit.”