🔗 Share this article

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

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

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side 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 quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

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

The last time 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 past 27 years.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

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

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. 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 big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical 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 week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals 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 just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, 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 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 improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight points behind 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."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

---