🔗 Share this article

Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic 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 swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors 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 so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

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 stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"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 just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

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 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 what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

---