Powerful Heart of Midlothian Outclass Disappointing The Hoops to Extend Eight Points Clear

Hearts striker celebrates statement win
The Hearts forward secured Hearts' statement win

Match summary

  • Kyziridis & Shankland secure Hearts win and propel them eight points clear at summit
  • Celtic's McGregor cancelled out the early own goal by Dane Murray
  • Hosts extend 13 league matches without defeat for first time in over two decades

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early-season championship claims and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal 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 hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion 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 not secured the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title 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 the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for the captain, who slotted home.

Match action from Hearts vs Celtic

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"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, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

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

What's Next for Both Sides?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

Star Performer

Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Team Player Scores

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

Celtic Player Scores

  • Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
  • Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
  • Number: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
  • Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Jersey: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
  • Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
  • Number: 27 Arne Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
  • Number: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
  • Number: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
  • Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Score: 3.05
  • Jersey:
Dr. Sharon West
Dr. Sharon West

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino strategies and player psychology.