Rampant Heart of Midlothian Overpower Meek The Hoops to Move 8 Pts Clear
At a glance
- Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and send them eight ahead at the top
- Callum McGregor cancelled out the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hosts extend 13 league matches without defeat for the first occasion in 27 years
Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.
A superb goal from Kyziridis 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 - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.
Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, 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.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.
Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.
Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors
Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.
Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.
A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.
Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.
The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.
Almost straight away, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.
What They Said
The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.
"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.
"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."
The Celtic boss: "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 ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.
"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive 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."
Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?
Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Team Ratings
- Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Number: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Number: 10 Braga - Score: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 Cameron Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 O. McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Number: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Number: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Visitors Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 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
- Jersey: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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