Dominant Heart of Midlothian Outclass Disappointing Celtic to Move 8 Pts Clear
Key points
- Hearts' attacking duo secure Hearts win and send them eight ahead at the top
- Callum McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hosts extend 13 games unbeaten for first time in 27 years
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal 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.
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 make a crucial stop.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.
Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - 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: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors
Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.
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 tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The away side grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who slotted home.
Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers 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, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel 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 partially encapsulated 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 national team player was then booked for a professional foul.
What They Said
The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.
"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. 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 important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.
"Our attention must turn on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."
Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?
Celtic are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Team Ratings
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 C. Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Number: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Number: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Number: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Celtic Ratings
- Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 C. Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Number: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Number: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
- Jersey: