Glasgow (AFP) - James Forrest took his tally for Celtic to 100 goals with a hat-trick as the Hoops thrashed Hibernian 6-1 to open up a five-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Forrest's appearances have been limited under Ange Postecoglou, but seized upon a rare start as Celtic bounced back from their elimination from the Champions League after a 2-0 defeat by RB Leipzig in midweek.
"I was really strong on the fact that, if we put on a performance like we did on Tuesday, the goals would come and the quality of our goals was great," said Postecoglou.
"It's why I thought some of the Champions League comments were ridiculous.We set out to play a certain way and we've fallen short in areas where, for the most part, I think we can improve, but it's not through a failure of endeavour or will.
"We will never change our approach and the players wanted to show that today."
Forrest opened the floodgates after just nine minutes with a fine finish from Sead Haksabanovic's cross.
Giorgos Giakoumakis then swept home a second before Forrest's strike slipped through the hands of David Marshall as Celtic raced into a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes.
Elie Youan pulled a goal back for the visitors early in the second half, but Forrest's deflected strike completed his hat-trick to end any hope of a Hibs fightback.
Instead, Celtic extended their lead as Giakoumakis grabbed his second of the game before substitute Daizen Maeda silenced his critics by striking a sixth late on.
Rangers can cut the gap at the top back to two points when they travel to Motherwell on Sunday.
St Mirren remain fourth in the table after they were held 0-0 at home by Kilmarnock.
Livingston are up to fifth after Dylan Bahamboula's first goal for the club earned a 1-0 win over St Johnstone.
Tony Watt rescued a point for Dundee United in a 1-1 draw between the bottom two at Ross County.
