Rampant Hearts Defeat Meek The Hoops to Move Eight Points Clear

Lawrence Shankland seals impressive victory
The Hearts forward secured Hearts' statement win

Match summary

  • Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight ahead at summit
  • Callum McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
  • Hosts extend 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 top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen 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 title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side 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 Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

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 top of the table.

The last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, 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 the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence 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 faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Key moment from the Premiership clash

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

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. 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 edge of the box.

Almost straight away, the defender fouled Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up 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 Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial 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 didn't move when the play was recycled as a defensive unit 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 just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive 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?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

Player of the Match

Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Team Ratings

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

Visitors Player Scores

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

A travel writer and Las Vegas enthusiast with over a decade of experience exploring the city's hidden gems and vibrant nightlife.