Dominant Heart of Midlothian Outclass Meek The Hoops to Move 8 Points in Front
Match summary
- Hearts' attacking duo secure victory for the hosts and send them eight ahead at the top
- Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
- Hearts extend 13 games unbeaten for first time in 27 years
Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.
The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic 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 the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.
But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.
The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, 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.
McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.
The Celtic boss 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.
Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors
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.
The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.
A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.
The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.
Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.
Almost straight away, the defender fouled 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 Schmeichel.
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 stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.
What They Said
The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. 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 a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.
"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the attempt.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.
"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Hearts Ratings
- Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Number: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Number: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 Cameron Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Number: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Number: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Jersey: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Number: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Number: 5 J. McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Visitors Ratings
- Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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