Dominant Hearts Outclass Struggling Celtic to Extend 8 Pts Ahead
At a glance
- Hearts' attacking duo secure victory for the hosts and send them eight points clear at summit
- Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts go 13 games unbeaten for first time in 27 years
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.
Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.
Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.
A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time 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 George Burley, 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 last three decades.
The Hearts coach, 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 1960.
The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.
But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.
Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic
Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.
Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.
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 found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.
Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.
The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.
Almost straight away, Murray tripped 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 Schmeichel.
Celtic's second half 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 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: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.
"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals 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 just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal 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 didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.
"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.
"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."
Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?
The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.
Player of the Match
Team Ratings
- Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Cláudio Braga - Score: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 B. Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Number: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Score: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Number: 31 O. McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Number: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 James Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Number: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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