Rampant Heart of Midlothian Outclass Struggling The Hoops to Move Eight Pts Clear

Lawrence Shankland seals impressive victory
Lawrence Shankland secured the team's emphatic victory

At a glance

  • Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight ahead at the top
  • Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
  • Hosts extend 13 games without defeat for first time in 27 years

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and worsen 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 in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

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

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated 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 unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Match action from Hearts vs Celtic

Aside 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.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

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

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move 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 attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek 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

Number: 89 A. Kyziridis
Player rating 8.65

Hearts Ratings

  • Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
  • Jersey: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
  • Number: 4 C. Halkett - Score: 8.30
  • Jersey: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
  • Number: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
  • Number: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
  • Number: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
  • Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06
  • Number: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
  • Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
  • Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 7.74
  • Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
  • Number: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
  • Number: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Score: 7.05
  • Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Score: 7.01
  • Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Score: 6.82

Visitors Player Scores

  • Number: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
  • Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
  • Jersey: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
  • Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Number: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
  • Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
  • Number: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
  • Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
  • Number: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
  • Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
  • Jersey:
Anne Davis
Anne Davis

A tech analyst with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and emerging technologies, passionate about demystifying complex tech trends.