🔗 Share this article

Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

---