Rampant Hearts Overpower Struggling Celtic to Go 8 Pts in Front

Hearts striker celebrates impressive victory
Lawrence Shankland put the seal on Hearts' statement win

Match summary

  • Hearts' attacking duo secure victory for the hosts and send them eight points clear at summit
  • Celtic's McGregor cancelled out early Murray own goal
  • Hosts go 13 league matches unbeaten for first time in 27 years

The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

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

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor 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 the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side 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 last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since 1960.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - 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.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net 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, the midfielder released Tierney to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Key moment from Hearts vs Celtic

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

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

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

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren'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 only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

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

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

Star Performer

Number: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Team Ratings

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

Visitors Player Scores

  • Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Score: 4.02
  • Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
  • Jersey: 63 K. Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
  • Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Jersey: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
  • Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
  • Number: 27 Arne Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
  • Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
  • Number: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
  • Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
  • Jersey:
Joel Turner
Joel Turner

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