The Tynecastle side Push Eight Points Ahead Clear at the Summit After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle, with it being far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Hearts have a genuine credible shot of disrupting Scottish football's four decade-long stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Key Moments in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, after an opening period that was contested closely. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how stress-free the rest of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the static the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray upending Braga for a foul that the captain converted. The Celtic manager appeared frustrated; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
The away side responded positively from the hosts' quick opening. Dane Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, scored an own goal due to haste when trying to clear a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, leader McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. They comfortably saw out the game as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the excitement.
- Detailed coverage coming soon.
