Rampant Heart of Midlothian Defeat Struggling Celtic to Go 8 Pts in Front
Match summary
- Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight ahead at summit
- Callum McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
- Hosts extend 13 games without defeat for first time in over two decades
Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season title credentials and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.
A superb goal from Kyziridis 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 - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing 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 Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses 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 so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.
The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.
The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts 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.
Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize 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 faltered under their initial test.
Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.
Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to square for the captain, who rolled in.
Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement 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 sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.
Post-Match Comments
The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.
"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. 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 much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.
"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."
Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?
Celtic are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Hearts Player Scores
- Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Number: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Score: 8.27
- Number: 14 C. Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 B. Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 Harry Milne - Score: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Celtic Ratings
- Number: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Number: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Number: 51 C. Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Number: 8 B. Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
- Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
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