Rampant Heart of Midlothian Overpower Disappointing Celtic to Go 8 Pts Ahead
Key points
- Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and propel them eight points clear at summit
- Callum McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts go 13 league matches unbeaten for the first occasion in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.
The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net 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 Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren 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 successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.
The last time 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 after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.
The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.
Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.
Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic
Hearts 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.
The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.
A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post 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.
Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who slotted home.
Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers 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, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick 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.
What They Said
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, 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 before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.
"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, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."
The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind 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?
The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Hearts Player Scores
- Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Number: 4 Craig Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 B. Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Number: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Number: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 Harry Milne - Score: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Number: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Number: 8 B. Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
- Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Number: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Number: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
- Number: