🔗 Share this article

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early title credentials and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead 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 in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since 2023.

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

The previous occasion 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 failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball 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.

Claudio Braga's header 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 absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "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 good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals 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 crucial 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."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren'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. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus 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 midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

---