Dominant Hearts Outclass Struggling The Hoops to Extend 8 Points Clear

Lawrence Shankland seals statement win
Lawrence Shankland put the seal on the team's emphatic victory

Key points

  • Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and send them eight points clear at summit
  • Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
  • Hearts go 13 league matches without defeat for first time in over two decades

Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts 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 quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions 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 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 the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who slotted home.

Key moment from the Premiership clash

Apart 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 Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

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 midweek exploits 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: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. 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 your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled 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.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

Player of the Match

Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Player rating 8.65

Team Player Scores

  • Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
  • Number: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
  • Number: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
  • Number: 10 Cláudio Braga - Score: 8.27
  • Jersey: 14 Cameron Devlin - Score: 8.22
  • Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
  • Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
  • Number: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
  • Jersey: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
  • Jersey: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
  • Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 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 J. McCart - Average Rating: 6.82

Celtic Player Scores

  • Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
  • Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
  • Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
  • Jersey: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Jersey: 5 L. 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 - Average Rating: 3.10
  • Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
  • Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
  • Number:
Megan Graham
Megan Graham

A seasoned journalist with a focus on digital innovation and economic trends, bringing over a decade of experience in UK media.