NEIL LENNON last night found his football Utopia in Gorgie as his Celtic team demolished Hearts 7-0 in the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
"If you're looking for Utopia, that first half was probably it," he said after his side scored five "breathtaking goals " in the first 45 minutes.
Lennon added: "The performance itself was the best I've seen, certainly in my time as a manager."
A hat trick by Kris Commons, two goals from Scott Brown, and strikes by Joe Ledley and Mikael Lustig condemned Hearts to a result that equals the club's worst defeats.
Lennon also pointed out that the performance was a riposte to critics after the Champions League exit to AC Milan last week.
"They showed remarkable character today to play as strongly as that. Now there are people out there going: 'Well, it's only Hearts, young team, blah blah, blah'. It wouldn't have mattered who we played today. I thought we were amazing. Absolutely amazing."
Lennon, who watched Huddersfield Town beat Burnley on Saturday as he seeks to recruit players, said: "The Champions League chapter's closed, and we want to build again. We're doing that, and if that's a marker for where we're going to be, we're in for some good times."'
The Northern Irishman, marking his 200th game in charge of Celtic, said of today's fifth-round draw: "I'm in the mood for a game against anybody. I'm not really interested who we get. If we play like that, then somebody's going to have to play very well to stop us."
Commons, who claimed the match ball, was candid about who he wanted to play. "I would fancy playing Rangers any time. They're fantastic games, awesome, not just for fans and players but the media as well. I think, in an ideal world, it would be nice if we both got to the final. But any game you would take," he said.
He added: "It would be nice to get to the final, play it at Celtic Park and win the cup there."
The final is being played at Celtic Park because of work at Hampden for the Commonwealth Games.
Gary Locke, the Hearts manager, said of the defeat: "My worry at the start of the season was that might happen and now it has happened. Now it is important we respond in the right manner."
He added: "Our aim this season is to stay in the league. That is going to be extremely difficult with the depth of the squad but it is a harsh lesson for us. As a manager you are always worried about the sort of impact a defeat like that can have on players who are so young. I am pig sick for our fans who have stood by us all season."
Jamie MacDonald, the Hearts goalkeeper, added: "That was as difficult a game as I've ever been involved in. I'd just like to apologise to the fans for what happened. It was an embarrassment for ourselves. We are disappointed for ourselves and disappointed for the fans. "
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