Powerful Hearts Overpower Struggling The Hoops to Extend Eight Points in Front
Key points
- Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight ahead at summit
- Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
- Hearts extend 13 games without defeat for the first occasion in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts 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 Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were this far ahead 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 having held such a lead in the last three decades.
The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay 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 the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.
Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic
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 stab wide.
The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.
Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.
The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.
Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Almost straight away, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.
The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.
What They Said
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough 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'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, loads to do. 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 didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren'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 adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.
"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Team Ratings
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Number: 4 C. Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Number: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Jersey: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Number: 7 E. Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Number: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82
Visitors Ratings
- Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Number: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 B. Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Number: 41 Reo Hatate - Score: 3.05
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