Lassad Nouioui put Celtic into an early lead at Tynecastle, beating Jamie MacDonald at his near post before Mikael Lustig extended the lead on 22 minutes from close range.

After the home side passed up a host of chances, Ryan Stevenson inflicted more misery on Hearts with an own goal on the half-hour mark.

English striker Gary Hooper added a late fourth and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster put further gloss on the performance with a penalty save.

The league leaders are now a point clear of Hibernian at the top of the league with a game in hand on all of the top six.

Hibernian leap-frogged Inverness into second with a dramatic 1-0 win at St Johnstone.

With the game heading for a goalless draw, Nigel Hasselbaink saw his penalty saved by Ben Williams with Liam Craig also denied on the follow up for the Saints.

Paul Carney was on hand to make the home side pay minutes later with his driven shot creeping under St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Mannus eight minutes from time.

St Johnstone's night was further soured when captain Dave Mackay was sent off in injury time for a behind-the-ball incident.