Dominant Hearts Defeat Disappointing Celtic to Move Eight Pts Ahead
Match summary
- Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and send them eight points clear at summit
- Callum McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts go 13 league matches unbeaten for the first occasion in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early championship claims and worsen the struggles 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 title holders could not overcome.
The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul 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 Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.
But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured 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 at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.
Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.
Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic
Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.
The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.
Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.
The away side grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.
Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers their key strikers.
Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. 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 just outside the area.
Immediately after, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.
The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.
Post-Match Comments
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. 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're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the attempt.
"Plenty of matches 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 so many games to play.
"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Hearts Player Scores
- Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Number: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Score: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Number: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Jersey: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Number: 7 E. Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Number: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
- Jersey: