GLASGOW (AFP) - Gordon Strachan congratulated his Celtic side for closing the gap on Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers after a comfortable 3-0 victory at home Hearts on Saturday.

But the Parkhead club's manager then warned his players to match their Old Firm rivals consistency if they want to win their third title in a row.

Goals from strike duo Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Scott McDonald put Celtic in command before German right-back Andreas Hinkel scored his first goal for the club to secure all three points.

The win moved the Hoops to within a point of table toppers Rangers - ahead of their game away to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

However, Strachan acknowledged winning on Saturday was vital and admitted Walter Smith's Gers are still in the driving seat for this season's title race.

The Celtic manager said: "If we'd not closed the gap on Rangers we'd have felt bad about ourselves but we can take pride in our performance.

"But Rangers are still top and have played very well and very consistently.

"So we appreciate the hard work that lies ahead for us but we can only do our own job."

On Saturday Celtic handed home debuts to Greek international George Samaras, midfielder Barry Robson and striker Ben Hutchinson - with all three coming off the substitute's bench after the game was all but won.

Samaras in particular impressed and almost scored with a spectacular left-foot shot from 25-yards which struck the post.

Strachan was delighted with the on-loan Manchester City player but also paid tribute to his first choice striking partnership.

Dutch international Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Australian striker Scott McDonald scored their 13th and 24th goals of the season respectively and their manager praised them for their overall performances.

Strachan said: "The two strikers can be very pleased with their work and every time we got the ball to them they were a danger.

"They can be pleased with their goals and their all round work today.

"Their link up play was excellent, and although it became a wee bit sticky after the first goal we sorted it out at half time and it was fine."

In regards to Samaras the Celtic boss added: "I don't think he had great chances, he made attempts at goal which other players couldn't have made.

"He made chances for himself with some great individual skill."

With a glamour match at home to Barcelona in the last 32 of the Champions League to look forward to on Wednesday, Strachan was happy his players had not taken their eyes of the ball on Saturday and revealed there was no fresh injury worries.

He said: "Everyone seems to be 100 per cent fit ahead of the Barcelona game so we're pleased with that.

"But you could see that they weren't holding anything back against Hearts with the way they were running and chasing and I like to see that.

On Saturday Celtic had taken the lead in the 14th minute.

Aiden McGeady's cross found Vennegoor of Hesselink who beat goalkeeper Steve Banks to the ball to poke home from eight-yards.

In the 51st minute Celtic doubled their advantage.

Shunsuke Nakamura's corner caught the visitor's defence napping, allowing McDonald to peel off his marker and nod home unimpeded.

And the home side made sure all three points were staying in Glasgow with a third goal in the 76th minute.

Republic of Ireland international McGeady was again the creator with a clever back heel to send Hinkel in on goal and although the German was almost on the byline he smashed a powerful right-foot shot beyond Banks and into opposite corner of the net.