Dominant Hearts Outclass Struggling The Hoops to Go Eight Points Ahead

The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen 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 - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, 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 quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker 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 Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled 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 hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn 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 midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.