Hearts rediscovered the natural order as their Betfred Cup campaign crashed into reality at Murrayfield.
All the hype and chat over an impressive start to the SPFL campaign counted for nothing when they came face to face with the double treble winners in their home city.
.@btsportfootball Celtic at the treble still going for the treble ???????????? Christie outstanding took his chance ?????? 3-0
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) October 28, 2018
The grass was cut to a length suited to playing football with the Edinburgh side posted missing from the moment Steven Naismith raised the white flag when he walked off in the seventh minute.
Stand in skipper Steven MacLean tried to pump the crown jewels from Eboue Kouassi as Craig Levein’s side ran out of ideas.
Celtic turned on the style early in the second half as goals from Scott Sinclair, James Forrest and Ryan Christie ensuring a third successive final appearance for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
There could have been a few more goals for Celtic but as their fans departed in droves it was clear that the natural order had been restored.