Brendan Rodgers credited an "excellent second half performance" as Celtic went three points clear at the Scottish Premiership summit with a well-earned victory over Heart of Midlothian on Saturday night.

Following Aberdeen's first league loss of the season earlier that day, Rodgers' team aimed to create distance from the Dons for the first time.

Despite a slow start and being fortunate to be level at half-time - thanks to missed chances from Blair Spittal and Lawrence Shankland - Celtic turned the tide after the break.

Kyogo Furuhashi opened the scoring early into the second half with his seventh goal of the season, capitalising on a deflected clearance.

Nicolas Kuhn quickly doubled the lead with a brilliant finish, and substitute Adam Idah added a third after clever passing in the Hearts box.

Although the hosts - who remain one point off bottom spot - showed determination and managed a late consolation goal through Musa Drammeh, Idah sealed the win with a penalty in stoppage time after James Forrest was fouled.

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Rodgers admitted that Celtic were caught cold by a tactical tweak by Hearts boss Neil Critchley, and revealed how they strived to quickly rectify their troubles during the interval. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Celtic boss said: "It was a very good win. I think when you can come here to Tynecastle and win 4-1. It was an excellent performance - especially second half. 

"I thought first half they pressed us well and pressed us in a different shape than what we anticipated from watching Neil and his team. We didn't quite play through as well as we wanted to. But once we figured out and sorted that out at half-time I thought we got through that pressure really well and looked very good going forward and solid behind.

"Obviously we are disappointed with the goal that we concede. But to come here to such a difficult place with the scoreline that convincing then I'm really pleased."

Rodgers knows the title race isn't over yet, just 12 games into the season, yet couldn't help but take pleasure in the fact rivals Rangers and Aberdeen both failed to win earlier on Saturday which has helped extend Celtic's advantage in first place. 

"If your nearest rivals drop points then of course you want to take advantage of that," he admitted. "It's still very early in the season but still this early it's good to get the win.

"Everyone would've looked at this as a very tough game but we've come here and managed the game really well and got the three points. So, I'm really pleased and we've just got to keep that focus and keep that intensity."