Powerful Hearts Defeat Struggling Celtic to Go 8 Points Clear

Lawrence Shankland celebrates impressive victory
The Hearts forward put the seal on the team's emphatic victory

Match summary

  • Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight points clear at summit
  • Callum McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
  • Hearts extend 13 league matches unbeaten for the first occasion in over two decades

Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen 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 title holders could not recover from.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time 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 the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Match action from Hearts vs Celtic

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

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.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

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

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

Player of the Match

Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Hearts Ratings

  • Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
  • Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Score: 8.40
  • Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
  • Number: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
  • Number: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
  • Number: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
  • Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
  • Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
  • Number: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
  • Jersey: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
  • Number: 31 O. McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
  • Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
  • Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
  • Number: 22 T. Magnússon - Score: 7.05
  • Number: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
  • Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Score: 6.82

Visitors Player Scores

  • Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
  • Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
  • Number: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
  • Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
  • Number: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
  • Number: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
  • Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
  • Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
  • Number: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
  • Number: 41 Reo Hatate - Score: 3.05
  • Number:
Joseph Gill
Joseph Gill

Elara Vance is a tech analyst and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in emerging technologies and innovation consulting.