Rampant Heart of Midlothian Overpower Disappointing The Hoops to Extend 8 Pts Clear
At a glance
- Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and send them eight ahead at summit
- Celtic's McGregor cancelled out early Murray own goal
- Hearts go 13 games unbeaten for first time in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season 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 - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, 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 the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.
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 after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.
Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.
Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic
Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to fire off target.
Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.
Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.
Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who slotted home.
Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers their key strikers.
The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.
The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.
What They Said
The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.
"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players 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, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.
"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 find more consistency and better performance in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
Celtic are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.
Star Performer
Hearts Ratings
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
- Number: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Score: 8.05
- Jersey: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Number: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Visitors Ratings
- Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 C. Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Number: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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