🔗 Share this article

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen the malaise 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 overcome.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.

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

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

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 unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication 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 defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

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

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

---