Hearts manager Wouter Vrancken has attributed his team's 7-1 defeat at Celtic Park to individual player errors. The visitors led 2-0 early on before conceding five goals before half-time in what became their heaviest-ever defeat in Glasgow's east end.

Celtic, who sit first in the Premiership with 21 points from eight games, ruthlessly exploited the mistakes. Vrancken said the game was straightforward to analyse.

"The game is pretty easy to analyse, actually, because I think we started well in the game, in possession, the first minutes," Vrancken said.

He pointed to two early set plays around the seventh and fifteenth minutes that changed the match's momentum. Losing possession too easily gave Celtic constant transition opportunities, which they finished with quality. Vrancken admitted his team were totally exposed in defensive moments and made it too simple for the hosts.

Defensive frailties exposed

Vrancken emphasized that against individual mistakes, there is little a coach can do. He said players who erred know they are at fault and must learn from the experience. The manager's immediate focus is on maintaining player confidence, stressing that they must not start doubting their own qualities.

He believes in shared responsibility for team performance in both wins and losses. The disappointment from this result, he said, must be gone quickly because another game is coming. Hearts have to step up again.

Supporter reaction

The scale of the defeat saw Hearts fans begin leaving the away end after Celtic's third goal. Vrancken acknowledged the travelling supporters, who were present in full force at Celtic Park for the first time, came with belief and trust. He expressed his disappointment for them due to the performance and the result.

Celtic's goals came from Callum Osmand, Kieran Tierney, a Benjamin Nygren double, Camilo Duran, and a Jamie McCart own goal. The victory extends Celtic's strong start to the season, where they have scored 16 goals and conceded just four. They lead the standings by a single point.

The team's next match is at home against ST Mirren on November 21. ST Mirren currently sit eighth in the table. Celtic's top scorer this season is Camilo Duran with four goals from eight appearances.

Vrancken also noted that the team's recent form had been positive, with Hearts having won three of their last four matches prior to this fixture, a fact that made the nature of the collapse more surprising. He reiterated that the players must now show a reaction and prove their resilience.

Celtic manager, speaking after the match, praised his team's clinical edge but warned against complacency as the season is still long. He highlighted the contribution of his midfield in winning the ball back high up the pitch, which directly led to several of the goals.

The data shows the one-sided nature of the contest after the initial quarter of an hour.

Read the full report at Daily Record Football

On October 19, Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd criticised Hearts' approach in the 7-1 defeat. "To come here and show the lack of respect to Celtic that Hearts have done today would be a wake-up call for me," Boyd said. The result moved Celtic four points clear at the top of the Premiership, according to the broadcaster. Manager Martin O'Neill told reporters that his side's performance was a response to their Europa League defeat to Benfica. "Everything clicked for us today," O'Neill said.

On October 19, official match data confirmed the sequence of Celtic's 7-1 victory over Hearts on October 18. The data showed Hearts had 52% possession and 20 shots but only five on target. Celtic's goals came from Kieran Tierney, a Benjamin Nygren double, a Callum Osmand brace, Camilo Duran, and a Jamie McCart own goal. The win maintains Celtic's position as first in the Premiership with 21 points from eight games.