Hoops ease past Hibs

Anthony Stokes scored twice on his return to Easter Road as Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Celtic claimed a comfortable 3-0 win over Hibernian.

After setting up a 44th-minute opener for Gary Hooper, who was returning from an ankle injury, Stokes tucked in a 50th-minute penalty after he was brought down by Lewis Stevenson.

Stokes, who moved to Celtic last August after helping Hibs to fourth place last season, skilfully netted his second after 64 minutes to confirm a 12th league loss of the season for his former club.

After drawing 0-0 with Irn-Bru Second Division Ayr in the Scottish Cup last weekend, Hibs responded with a strong start against the SPL leaders.

David Wotherspoon headed wide from Stevenson's cross in the opening minute after the full-back had overlapped on the left before Derek Riordan hit a 30-yard free-kick over.

Celtic's first chance came when Emilio Izaguirre shot tamely at Mark Brown before Daniel Majstorovic inexplicably fluffed a free header from close range following Mark Wilson's free-kick.

Brown then saved with an outstretched leg from Hooper, who was played through by an incisive ball from Beram Kayal, a player earlier booked for fouling Ian Murray. Hooper needed no second invitation, though, when netting moments later.

Stokes did well on the left of the area to feed his strike partner, whose first touch helped him evade marker Paul Hanlon and he coolly slotted in for his 12th league goal of the season.

Stevenson scythed down Stokes a yard inside the penalty area after 49 minutes, referee Thomson pointing to the spot without hesitation. Stokes stepped up and passed the ball straight down the middle of the goal to net for the 11th time since leaving Edinburgh for Glasgow last August.

Celtic continued with wave upon wave of pressure and Stoke's second was not long in coming. The striker brought down Izaguirre's cross and lofted the ball into the top corner beyond Brown.