Powerful Hearts Defeat Struggling The Hoops to Move Eight Points Ahead

Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

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

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

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings 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.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to fire off target.

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

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel 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 set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, 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 a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled 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 only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

Celtic are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.