Powerful Heart of Midlothian Outclass Meek Celtic to Move 8 Pts in Front

Hearts striker seals statement win
The Hearts forward secured the team's emphatic victory

Key points

  • Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and send them eight points clear at summit
  • Callum McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
  • Hosts extend 13 league matches without defeat for the first occasion in over two decades

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal 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 spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal 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 the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to consign the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled 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 unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for the captain, who rolled in.

Match action from Hearts vs Celtic

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability 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 the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. 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 big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player 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 week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move 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 numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

Star Performer

Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Hearts Player Scores

  • Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
  • Number: 9 L. Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
  • Number: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
  • Number: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
  • Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
  • Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
  • Number: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
  • Number: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
  • Number: 18 H. Milne - Score: 8.05
  • Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Score: 8.04
  • Jersey: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74
  • Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
  • Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
  • Number: 22 T. MagnĂşsson - Score: 7.05
  • Number: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
  • Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Score: 6.82

Visitors Ratings

  • Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
  • Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
  • Jersey: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
  • Number: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
  • Number: 5 L. Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
  • Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
  • Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
  • Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
  • Number: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
  • Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Score: 3.05
  • Jersey:
David Stevenson
David Stevenson

A tech enthusiast and gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in digital entertainment, specializing in slot machine mechanics and emerging gaming technologies.

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