Rampant Heart of Midlothian Defeat Meek Celtic to Go 8 Points in Front
Key points
- Kyziridis & Shankland secure Hearts win and propel them eight ahead at the top
- Callum McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
- Hearts extend 13 games without defeat for first time in 27 years
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season title credentials and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.
Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign the visitors to back-to-back losses 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 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.
The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since 1960.
Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.
But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.
Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic
Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.
Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.
A headed effort from Braga 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 absent center-back.
The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up the captain, who rolled in.
Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team regained their intensity 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, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.
The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.
What They Said
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.
"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are eager to show that.
"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of where you are."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.
"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures 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?
The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Hearts Ratings
- Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Number: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Number: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 B. Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Number: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Number: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Jersey: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Number: 22 Theodor MagnĂşsson - Average Rating: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Score: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 K. Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 L. Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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