Dominant Hearts Overpower Disappointing The Hoops to Extend 8 Points in Front
At a glance
- Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and send them eight points clear at the top
- Celtic's McGregor cancelled out early Murray own goal
- Hearts go 13 games without defeat for first time in 27 years
Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.
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.
The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.
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 Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.
The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.
McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since 1960.
The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - 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 need to be taken seriously.
Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic
The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance 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 aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.
A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.
The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to set up the captain, who slotted home.
Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
Hearts regained their intensity 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.
Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.
The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.
The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.
Post-Match Comments
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.
"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.
"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."
The Celtic boss: "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 play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.
"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.
"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."
Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?
Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.
Player of the Match
Team Player Scores
- Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Number: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Number: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Number: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Jersey: 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 - Average Rating: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 B. Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Number: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 James Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Number: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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