Neil Lennon told his players they have set the standard for the rest of the season with their comprehensive 4-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday night.
The champions have stuttered in their journey to the top of the SPL, losing 17 points in comparison to 21 dropped in the whole of last season.
However, they responded to their shock home 1-0 defeat by Inverness at the weekend in fine style in Gorgie with goals from striker Lassad Nouioui and right-back Mikael Lustig before Charlie Mulgrew’s cut-back was deflected into his own net by Gorgie midfielder Ryan Stevenson.
Striker Gary Hooper grabbed a fourth late in the game before Parkhead keeper Fraser Forster showed why he has forced his way into the England set-up by saving a late penalty from Hearts skipper Marius Zaliukas to take them a point ahead of Hibernian with a game in hand.
The Hoops boss said: “They have set the bar and I know they are capable of those performances. I have seen it time and again.
“It was a performance I was looking for, regardless of the result. If we had won 1-0 I would have been delighted but to win it so emphatically was so pleasing.
“It was a great performance. There was a real intensity about them and I got the reaction I was looking for.
“We now have to find a reason why it is not going so well at home.
“Taking one point out of nine at home is not good enough for the talent and quality they have.
“I said to them after the game that I don’t want to keep looking for reactions, I want consistency. It’s not a question of character, I know what I have got here but we have to find our consistency.”
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