Rangers manager Philippe Clement said a win over Hearts would be “a big statement” and his men delivered in style, thrashing the Jambos 5-0 at Ibrox.
The reverse ended Hearts’ 12-game unbeaten run and the goal blitz started after only two minutes when Mohammed Diomande netted, firing the ball home from 20 yards.
The Gorgie men held out until the 37th minute when Oscar Cortes made it 2-0 by curling the ball home for his first goal for the Glasgow side and Cyriel Dessers added a third with a minute left of the first session with a volley.
The visitors were dominated for most of the first 45 minutes and two more goals followed in the second-half, Dessers adding No 4 only three minutes in and substitute Fabio Silva added a fifth by firing home after being fed by John Lundstram with 65 minutes on the clock.
Lawrence Shankland did hit the post with a header in the second-half but the league pace-setters were in fine form and enjoyed 53 per cent of possession and fired 12 shots on target. Hearts had five.
Celtic travel to Fir Park on Sunday and are now five points behind their Old Firm rivals in the chase for the cinch Premiership title.
PICTURES: Action from Ibrox courtesy of David Mollison
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