Celtic wrap up title win early

Edinburgh – Celtic were crowned Scottish Premiership champions for a sixth consecutive season as Scott Sinclair’s hat-trick inspired a 5-0 demolition of Hearts yesterday.

Brendan Rodgers’ side, now 25 points clear of second-placed Aberdeen, set a new Scottish topflight record as the earliest ever champions after wrapping up first place with eight games left.

Sinclair (above) struck twice in the first half before Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts netted after the interval at Tynecastle.

Sinclair’s third, via the penalty spot, put the seal on the 48th Scottish title triumph in Celtic’s illustrious history.

Celtic are unbeaten in 30 league games, winning 28 times.

Having already won the Scottish League Cup and with a Scottish Cup semifinal date against Glasgow rivals Rangers looming, Celtic could land the domestic treble in former Liverpool boss Rodgers’ first season in charge.

Aberdeen’s 7-0 win over Dundee on Friday had delayed the title party and meant Celtic needed a win against Hearts to clinch the championship.

However, two quick-fire goals soon turned the game on its head.

Sinclair took out three defenders as he played a give-and-go with Roberts and then lashed in a fierce strike high into the roof of the net in the 24th minute.

English winger Sinclair grabbed a second just three minutes later.

The travelling Celtic support didn’t have to wait long to celebrate again as Armstrong made it 3-0 in the 55th minute.

Roberts then got the goal his play deserved in the 61st minute.

Sinclair sealed the win from the penalty spot in the 84th minute. – AFP