Powerful Heart of Midlothian Defeat Disappointing The Hoops to Extend Eight Pts in Front
At a glance
- Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and send them eight ahead at the top
- Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hosts go 13 games without defeat for first time in 27 years
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.
Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.
McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.
Rodgers 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 Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.
Match 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 Shankland to stab wide.
Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.
A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.
The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.
Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.
The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, Murray fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.
Post-Match Comments
The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.
"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. 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 important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. 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 more quality in our play."
What's Next for Both Sides?
The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Team Ratings
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Cláudio Braga - Score: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Number: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Number: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Jersey: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Number: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Number: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 James Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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