Powerful Heart of Midlothian Defeat Disappointing The Hoops to Go 8 Points Clear
At a glance
- Hearts' attacking duo secure victory for the hosts and send them eight points clear at summit
- Celtic's McGregor cancelled out the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts extend 13 league matches without defeat for first time in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the malaise 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 reigning champions could not overcome.
Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.
A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic 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 consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, 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 Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since 1960.
Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.
Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic
The Edinburgh side 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.
The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.
Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who slotted home.
Aside 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 stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, 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 Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.
The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded 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 consistently.
"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. 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 loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."
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 defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the shot.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.
"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."
What's Next for Both Sides?
The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Hearts Player Scores
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Number: 9 L. Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 C. Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Number: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Number: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Number: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Number: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Number: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Number: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Number: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Number: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
- Jersey: