🔗 Share this article

Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow 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 Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team 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, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped 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 stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. 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. 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 crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, 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 failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, 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 only the beginning. 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 present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

---