🔗 Share this article

Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

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

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously 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.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence 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 help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, 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.

Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

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 Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"What we have got, 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're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

---