Dominant Heart of Midlothian Outclass Disappointing The Hoops to Move Eight Pts in Front

Hearts striker celebrates impressive victory
The Hearts forward secured the team's emphatic victory

At a glance

  • Kyziridis & Shankland secure victory for the hosts and propel them eight points clear at summit
  • Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
  • Hosts go 13 games unbeaten for first time in over two decades

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

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 - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, 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 the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign 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 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.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - 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: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.

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

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Match action from the Premiership clash

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 stricken attackers their key strikers.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender fouled Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "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 do better with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

Player of the Match

Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Hearts Player Scores

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

Celtic Player Scores

  • Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
  • Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
  • Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
  • Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Number: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
  • Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
  • Number: 27 A. Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
  • Number: 49 James Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
  • Jersey: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
  • Number: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
  • Jersey:
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