Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Watch: Celtic's five goals against leaders Hearts

Celtic narrowed the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to just one point as they blew away leaders Hearts at Celtic Park.

For the second time in six days, Brendan Rodgers' side outclassed their Edinburgh opposition to record a seventh straight domestic win.

Striker Odsonne Edouard netted either side of a Filip Benkovic header, all before half-time.

James Forrest then rifled in a fourth, with Ryan Christie adding a fifth.

Celtic, having scored just seven goals in their opening seven league games, have now scored 20 in their last four and are just one behind Hearts with a game in hand.

Hearts' title credentials dented

Manager Craig Levein said before the match that this was the sort of fixture Hearts had to win if they were to be considered title contenders. On this evidence, his side are still somewhat short as they were utterly bossed by Celtic.

The league leaders were, of course, missing several key players but the reigning champions dominated the play.

Edouard fired a shot from the edge of the box high into the net to open the scoring, before Benkovic doubled the lead with a header - his first goal for the club.

French striker Edouard then scored his second and Celtic's third, firing home a Kieran Tierney cross from close range.

In truth, it was far too easy for Celtic, who peppered the Hearts goal with further efforts. They eased up a gear to make it 4-0 after 65 minutes as Edouard turned provider for Forrest to lash home in the box.

And there was sparkle in the build up to the penalty award for their fifth, Celtic sweeping forward before Forrest was brought down as he ran across goal. Ryan Christie dispatched the spot kick. In general, Celtic were in cruise control.

Hearts offered little in terms of any kind of threat. Steven MacLean fired in a close range shot and Ben Garuccio hit a post in the latter part of the second half, which was as good as it got for the away side.

Celtic back to their best - analysis

Celtic are now flexing their muscles and the momentum is clear to see. The form appears to be back to the level they established in Brendan Rodgers' first two seasons, which bodes well for their crucial home game against RB Leipzig in the Europa League on Thursday - one Celtic have to win if they are to make progress in the competition.

All in all, it was a tough afternoon for Hearts. Questions were always going to be asked about their strength in depth having lost key players to injury, and against the best in the Premiership they were found wanting. Their only real solace is that, for now, they remain top.

'Our attacking play was unbelievable'- reaction

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "Today typified our achievements over the past two and half years.

"We've been in European competition playing really difficult games and to produce what we've produced today shows our hunger and a sense that the team's back. Some of our attacking combination play was unbelievable."

Hearts manager Craig Levein: "I felt, although we lost two goals in the second-half, I actually felt much better. To be fair to the players, they ran their socks off and put in a much better performance.

"We get a lot of players back [from injury] at the start of December. We'll have a lot more strength-in-depth once we get to the winter break [in January]. We'll consign this result to the dustbin."

Highlights - Celtic 5-0 Heart of Midlothian