Powerful Heart of Midlothian Defeat Meek Celtic to Go 8 Pts in Front

Hearts striker celebrates impressive victory
Lawrence Shankland secured Hearts' statement win

Key points

  • Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and send them eight ahead at summit
  • Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
  • Hearts go 13 league matches without defeat for the first occasion in 27 years

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out 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 hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown 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: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Key moment from the Premiership clash

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

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

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings 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 loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

Star Performer

Number: 89 A. Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Team Ratings

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

Celtic Player Scores

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

A fashion historian and lifestyle writer with a passion for royal culture and modern elegance, sharing curated insights for refined readers.