IAN CATHRO and Hearts have a far more important and indeed relevant fight to face this Wednesday when they travel to Perth to play St Johnstone.

Although whether the head coach was right to say his team were in an even better place to take on their closest rivals after being given such a going over at home is up for question.

Celtic are not Cathro's concern, St Johnstone are, and he and his players now have to look forward rather than back.

"We spoke openly and directly beforehand that this was the first game in a three-game week that was very important to us," said Cathro.

"What’s important for me to put across just now is that after this game, I feel even better, stronger and more confident going into Wednesday’s game. Not the reverse.

"Often, we try to create the idea that this has an impact on the next one. It doesn’t. We are better, stronger and very much look forward to it."

Perry Kitchen, the Hearts captain, was happy with how his team began the game, they did create three good chances, but well before the end the home seats in Tynecastle had been vacated such was the ease with which Celtic won

The American said: “It’s tough. In the first half, we had a couple of decent looks at the Celtic goal. But it’s credit to them. They are clinical with their chances. That’s why they are the champions, they are a very good team.

“I was proud of the effort we showed. When the goals start to rack up like up, then it’s easy to throw in the towel and quit. I don’t think we did that today. The reality is it’s quick turnaround to the next match and there is still a lot to play for.

“You can always look back at things. In the first half, I thought we executed our game-plan pretty well outside of the two goals. We wanted to press them and make things tough. I think we did that.

‘But they are a top team. They take their chances very well and it is tough to come back from that.

“Their first goal knocked the stuffing out of us. We had the momentum and things seemed to be swinging our way. Again, though, they are a championship winning team and basically they turned the game with one chance.”

Partick Thistle in sixth and sit four points behind Hearts who can still finish fourth, beating St Johnstone is a must, but they need play better than they have been.

Kitchen said: “Our form is certainly not great but at the same time we have a good group of guys. We need to go out and show that in a huge one on Wednesday. It’s got to be a quick turnaround and get it right very soon.

“There is always a danger of the season slipping but we have the right guys here. We just need to figure it out and we will. That starts Wednesday.”