Dominant Hearts Outclass Meek The Hoops to Extend 8 Points in Front

Lawrence Shankland seals impressive victory
Lawrence Shankland secured the team's emphatic victory

Match summary

  • Kyziridis & Shankland secure Hearts win and propel them eight points clear at the top
  • Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
  • Hearts extend 13 league matches unbeaten for the first occasion in 27 years

The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders 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 bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.

The last time 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 past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Key moment from the Premiership clash

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland 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 stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

What They Said

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.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here previously. 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 normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "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 attempt.

"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 These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

Star Performer

Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Player rating 8.65

Team Ratings

  • Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
  • Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Score: 8.40
  • Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
  • Jersey: 10 Braga - Score: 8.27
  • Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
  • Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
  • Number: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
  • Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
  • Number: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
  • Jersey: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
  • Jersey: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74
  • Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
  • Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
  • Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
  • Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
  • Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Average Rating: 6.82

Celtic Player Scores

  • Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
  • Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
  • Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
  • Jersey: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Number: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
  • Number: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
  • Number: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
  • Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
  • Number: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
  • Number: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
  • Jersey:
Alyssa Frey
Alyssa Frey

Elara Vance is a seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino reviews and strategy development.