Rampant Hearts Overpower Disappointing The Hoops to Move Eight Pts in Front
Key points
- Kyziridis & Shankland secure Hearts win and propel them eight ahead at the top
- Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
- 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 top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.
Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.
The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, 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 swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, 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 past 27 years.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.
Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - 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.
Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors
The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.
The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.
Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.
Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.
Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.
Almost straight away, Murray tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.
What They Said
The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.
"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.
"We've got a good thing going 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 typically a benchmark of your standing."
The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.
"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.
"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability 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 identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Hearts Player Scores
- Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Number: 9 L. Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Number: 4 C. Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Number: 10 Cláudio Braga - Score: 8.27
- Number: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Number: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Number: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 Theodor MagnĂşsson - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Visitors Ratings
- Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 C. Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Number: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
- Jersey: