Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk helped Celtic shrug off their Amsterdam hangover by inspiring them to a convincing 4-1 Scottish Premiership win over Ross County at the Global Energy Arena.
Van Dijk led the charge against the Staggies, heading an Emilio Izaguirre cross past County goalkeeper Mark Brown in the 41st minute after threatening on three earlier occasions.
It was the 22-year-old’s first goal in green and white and in the 52nd minute he got his second when he headed in a Charlie Mulgrew corner.
County substitute Ivan Sproule reduced the deficit in the 67th minute, after replacing Mark Klok, but midfielder Joe Ledley helped himself to a brace of headers to underline what was an impressive response from the Parkhead side to their midweek disappointment.
Hearts came from behind to seal a vital and impressive 3-1 victory over high-flying Aberdeen but the Dons had only themselves to blame for throwing away a match in which Niall McGinn had given them the lead.
McGinn subsequently missed a penalty before midfielder Barry Robson was sent off in the 55th minute. Robson had only been on the pitch because injury had forced Willo Flood off after 22 minutes.
Jamie Walker hauled the visitors level in the 66th minute before turning provider for Callum Paterson to stroke home. Ryan Stevenson sealed the points in stoppage time.
Hearts boss Gary Locke was full of praise for his young side.
“We’ve got our goalkeeper to thank for keeping us in the game,” he said. “Aberdeen came out of the traps and were playing with a lot of confidence because they’ve been on a great run.”
He added: “You could say the red card changed the game. It’s always difficult against 10 men.
“Sometimes it can work against you, but I think we made the right changes at the right times, and for our second half-performance we deserved the win.