Dominant Hearts Defeat Struggling The Hoops to Go 8 Points Ahead

Hearts striker seals impressive victory
The Hearts forward secured Hearts' statement win

At a glance

  • Kyziridis & Shankland secure Hearts win and send them eight points clear at the top
  • Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
  • Hosts go 13 games unbeaten for first time in over two decades

Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike 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 - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign the visitors 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 last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers has seen it all before 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 need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga 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 absent center-back.

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

Key moment from Hearts vs Celtic

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up 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 Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals 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 just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

Player of the Match

Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Player rating 8.65

Team Player Scores

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

Visitors Player Scores

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

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot machine mechanics and player psychology.