The joy today is Celtic's, with a new club record of 27 domestic games unbeaten from the start of the season and a 22-point lead re-established at the top of the Premiership with that thumping win over Hearts.

Join us again for more live coverage of the Premiership on Tuesday, when Hamilton Accies host Inverness Caley Thistle and Ross County entertain Motherwell - and there's also that Scottish Cup replay between Clyde and Stirling Albion.

The early suggestions are that John Souttar has snapped his Achilles, which would mean a lengthy time on the sidelines for the 20-year-old Hearts defender.

That's sad news not only for Hearts but Scotland head coach Gordon Strachan, who would have been hoping that Souttar would develop quickly to challenge in a position where the national side is desperately short of quality.

Image source, SNS

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers suggests that it will be very difficult to keep the unbeaten run until the end of the season but stressed his pride in his players.

"It is a huge achievement to go 27 games unbeaten considering the great history of this club," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"We are very proud and it was an outstanding performance.

"I can see what Ian Cathro is trying to do and, given time, he should improve Hearts, but we wore them down.

"Great credit to the players. We tried something, playing one of our wingers as a striker.

"After the first 20 minutes, it wasn't working and we put Scott Sinclair back into his natural positon and we put Pat Roberts in there and his movement was better."

Image source, SNS

One for Hibs fans hoping to see a return from Kris Commons, who was on a brief emergency loan from Celtic...

"He's had a back issue this week," reveals Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers. "He is in negotiations with the club. I know Hibs really liked him and are probably looking to do a deal but there are other considerations for Kris, it's not just about the next six months."

The 33-year-old made five appeances for the Championship leaders, scoring twice.  

Image source, SNS

What next for Hearts? Rangers visit Tynecastle on Wednesday, looking to avenge the 2-0 loss they suffered on what was Robbie Neilson's last match in charge of the men in maroon.

That win in late November lifted Hearts into second place. Since then, they have only added five points in seven games.

Ian Cathro was unable to be specific about John Souttar's injury but admitted it was not looking promising for the Hearts central defender.

However, he suggested that the Edinburgh club would be signing more players - to add to the six already brought in during the current window - before Tuesday's deadline.

Hearts head coach Ian Cathro seemed to rue a missed chance by Malaury Martin when Celtic were only 1-0 ahead.

"We wanted to go toe to toe and play against them and, for periods in the first half, we were able to do that," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"We managed to start playing ourselves a bit in the second half and that was the moment when we had to make sure it meant something.

"We were in the ascendency and we didn't do that. After that, it was a bit more difficult. 

"We learn things every day and this will play a part of that.

"We should feel strong from some things today as it was close to going the other way."

Image source, SNS

Next up for the champions are Aberdeen at Celtic Park on Wednesday, then it's a trip to St Johnstone next Sunday.

Three more home games follow; against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup and Motherwell and Hamilton Accies in the Premiership.

Can you see Brendan Rodgers' side slipping up?

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Tom English
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

That's also Celtic's 17th successive league win and they regain their 22-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Premiership.

Image source, SNS

Brendan Rodgers' Celtic beat the Lisbon Lions' 1967 record of 26 domestic games unbeaten from the start of the season with an emphatic win over a lacklustre and disjointed Hearts.

Lennard Sowah trips Jack Aitchison and Celtic have a late penalty.

John Souttar is being taken off on a stretcher. Worrying signs for the central defender and for Hearts head coach Ian Cathro, who might have to have another rethink about his January transfer targets with only a couple of days left in the current window.

Ouch!published at 86mins

86mins

Celtic 3-0 Hearts

Hearts defender John Souttar has a problem as he goes down in a heap after landing awkwardly.

Celtic are strolling towards that club record of 27 domestic games without defeat from the start of the season.