Celtic secured a three point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League after an impressive display against an offensive 4-3-3 Hibernian set-up.

The wet and windy conditions failed to hold back Gordon Strachan's side, who sailed passed the Edinburgh outfit with ease and style.

Shaun Maloney stated Celtic's intent in the first minute when he combined with Scott McDonald before firing over the crossbar. At the other end of the park, Derek Riordan marked his debut appearance against former club, Celtic, since re-joining Hibernian, by testing the giant Artur Boruc following a foul on striker Steven Fletcher. From 28 yards out, Riordan found the target, but goalkeeper Boruc neatly gripped the ball over the bar.

Celtic’s Scot Brown found an opening after 25 minutes when Sol Bamba conceded possession midway inside his own half. The midfielder saw that ‘keeper Yves Ma-Kalambay was off his line and responded with a chip that drifted marginally over the crossbar.

Similarly, Hibernian wasted a very good chance when, with space on the right, Colin Nish's poor pass failed to find an open team-mate.

Riordan then pushed Boruc to make an excellent one-handed save of a deflected shot. Steven Fletcher was almost in on goal after a neat through ball by Riordan, but the Hibs striker could not control the ball and Celtic cleared the danger in a untidy manner.

It was Stephen McManus who put the home side ahead inside 31 minutes as Hibs failed to clear Shunsuke Nakamura's corner and the forward fired home from close range with his right foot.

Celtic’s lead was doubled minutes afterwards, when McDonalds' slick pass was flicked on to find young Cillian Sheridan, who comfortably found the back of the Hibs net to open his goal-scoring account for the club.

The Hibs fight-back began five minutes before half time, when in-form Steven Fletcher confidently fired a shot which deflected off Colin Nish to reignite the voices of the Hibs fans. The visitors continued to push for an equaliser, but Celtic retaliated with a quick offensive move. However the Hoops’ passes were foiled at the last stage when Ma-Kalambay saved well from Andreas Hinkel's attempt.

The final ten minutes saw Barry Robson's free-kick directed around the post by Ma-Kalambay at full stretch for a corner. Maloney's cross found Loovens, who headed into the net as Hibernian's Ian Murray failed to make an impact marking the post.

Celtic made it four when Brown's left-foot drive was smashed into the goal as the Hibs fans started to make their way out of Celtic park on the 83 minutes.

This comprehensive victory was precisely what Celtic needed in the wake of a sore mid-week defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the Champions League.

Nonetheless, credit should be given to an offensive-minded Hibs line-up. Their striking trio attempted to break a solid Celtic defence, but lacked technical impetus to really challenge the champions.