Dominant Heart of Midlothian Defeat Disappointing Celtic to Move 8 Points Clear

Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not overcome.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses 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 the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper 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 building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

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

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players 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 only three points. It's crucial 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 play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.