🔗 Share this article

Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor 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 consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 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 last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header 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 absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked 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.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment 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. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches 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 here and now and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

---