EDINBURGH, Jan 14: Celtic came from a goal behind to beat Hearts 2-1 at Tynecastle here on Sunday and so maintain their huge 17-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

The reigning champions fell behind to a 30-yard shot from Hearts midfielder Saulius Mikoliunas in the 28th minute.

But with their mark in sight, Hoops striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink levelled from close range.

And nine minutes from time, Celtic's comeback was complete when Jiri Jarosik scored from the edge of the box with a well-struck shot.

Defeat saw Hearts remain in fourth place.

The result capped a happy return to Tynecastle for Steven Pressley, captaining Celtic for the first time on his return to his old club.

Early on, Mikoliunas was given time and space before shooting straight at Celtic keeper Artur Boruc.

But when the Lithuanian winger was allowed a smiliar chance moments later he struck with a superb left-foot drive.

Celtic came close to equalising when Vennegoor of Hesselink's header was cleared off the line by Craig Gordon, Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura seeing his attempy to score from the rebound blocked.

The visitors eventually got the equaliser they'd been threatening when keeper Gordon couldn't hold on to substitute Craig Beattie's shot and Vennegoor of Hesselink followed up to score.

Nakmaura then saw a well-struck shot deflected onto the crossbar before Jarosik clinched all three points when he came in from the left to score from 18 yards out.—AFP