Rampant Heart of Midlothian Defeat Meek Celtic to Extend Eight Pts Ahead

The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season championship claims and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats 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 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, 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 the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts 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 poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

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

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

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

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray tripped Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

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

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings 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 keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures 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 ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present 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 top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.