Powerful Heart of Midlothian Defeat Struggling Celtic to Move 8 Pts Ahead
At a glance
- Hearts' attacking duo secure Hearts win and send them eight points clear at the top
- Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hosts extend 13 league matches without defeat for first time in 27 years
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit 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 two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not overcome.
The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.
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, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.
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 Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, 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.
The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.
Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.
Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic
Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker 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 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 grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to square for the captain, who slotted home.
Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Almost straight away, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.
Post-Match Comments
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.
"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions 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 keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."
The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.
"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Hearts Player Scores
- Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
- Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Number: 4 C. Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Number: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Number: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Number: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Number: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Number: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Score: 3.05
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