Rampant Heart of Midlothian Outclass Struggling Celtic to Move Eight Pts Ahead

The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

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

Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

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 hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

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

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

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

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals 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 crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. 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 defensive unit so when they pass the ball, 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 still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.