Powerful Heart of Midlothian Defeat Struggling The Hoops to Go 8 Pts Clear

Hearts striker seals statement win
Lawrence Shankland put the seal on the team's emphatic victory

At a glance

  • Hearts' attacking duo earn victory for the hosts and send them eight points clear at the top
  • Callum McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
  • Hosts go 13 games unbeaten for the first occasion in over two decades

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders 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 Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Key moment from Hearts vs Celtic

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. 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 maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

Star Performer

Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Player rating 8.65

Team Ratings

  • Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
  • Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
  • Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Score: 8.30
  • Jersey: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
  • Number: 14 C. Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
  • Number: 6 B. Baningime - Score: 8.16
  • Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
  • Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
  • Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
  • Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
  • Number: 31 O. McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
  • Number: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
  • Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
  • Number: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
  • Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
  • Number: 5 J. McCart - Average Rating: 6.82

Visitors Ratings

  • Number: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
  • Jersey: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
  • Number: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
  • Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Number: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
  • Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
  • Number: 27 A. Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
  • Jersey: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
  • Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
  • Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
  • Number:
Amber Klein
Amber Klein

Wildlife biologist and conservationist with over a decade of experience studying sloths in Central America.