Rampant Heart of Midlothian Overpower Meek Celtic to Extend 8 Pts Ahead

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

Key points

  • Hearts' attacking duo earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight points clear at the top
  • Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
  • Hosts extend 13 games without defeat for the first occasion in 27 years

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis 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 XI - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic 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 previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win 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 at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net 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 the full-back to square for McGregor, who slotted home.

Key moment from Hearts vs Celtic

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

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 the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated 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 their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

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

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the present 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 same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

Star Performer

Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Team Ratings

  • Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
  • Number: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
  • Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
  • Jersey: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
  • Jersey: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
  • Jersey: 6 B. Baningime - Score: 8.16
  • Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
  • Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06
  • Jersey: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
  • Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
  • Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
  • Number: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
  • Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
  • Number: 22 Theodor MagnĂşsson - Average Rating: 7.05
  • Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
  • Jersey: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82

Visitors Ratings

  • Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
  • Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
  • Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
  • Jersey: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
  • Jersey: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
  • Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
  • Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
  • Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
  • Jersey: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
  • Number: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
  • Jersey:
Cody Aguilar
Cody Aguilar

A gaming enthusiast and industry analyst with over a decade of experience, specializing in casino trends and player strategies.