Celtic began the defence of its Scottish Professional Football League title with a thumping 4-1 win over Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, Leigh Griffiths scoring a brace in the process.

Scott Sinclair and Callum McGregor were also on the scoresheet as the Hoops continued winning at home, where they have not lost a match since December 2015.

Celtic was already in buoyant mood having qualified for the UEFA Champions League play-offs last week, and a big win to start the new season added further to the sense of euphoria in Glasgow.

Griffiths was guilty of missing what for him was a simple chance before he put Celtic ahead in the 29th minute. There would be no more goals before the break, although some intricate team play offered up an opportunity for McGregor to score moments before the half-time whistle was blown.

Hearts began the second half positively, creating a couple of opportunities, but they were flat on their backs again when Sinclair made the most of some poor defending from a Griffiths corner barely five minutes after the restart, guiding the ball home at the back post.

Twelve minutes later it was 3-0, Griffiths scoring his second with a diving header close in that saw both the ball and the player end up in the back of the net.

McGregor, who provided the cross for Griffiths's second, finally got a goal of his own in the 73rd minute, blasting home in characteristic fashion after superb work from Sinclair, who had spun past two defenders on the halfway line before charging towards goal and playing his team-mate in.

Esmail Gonclaves scored a late consolation for Hearts and Craig Gordon was forced into a diving save not long after, but it was far too little too late for the visitors.

Celtic is chasing its seventh straight title this season, and on this form it looks like being very much on the cards.