Dominant Hearts Outclass Struggling Celtic to Go 8 Points Ahead

Lawrence Shankland celebrates statement win
The Hearts forward put the seal on the team's emphatic victory

Key points

  • Hearts' attacking duo secure Hearts win and propel them eight ahead at summit
  • Callum McGregor cancelled out early Murray own goal
  • Hearts extend 13 league matches without defeat for the first occasion in 27 years

The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and worsen 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 recover from.

The young defender - 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 their home ground, 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 quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions 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 working hard to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title 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 Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

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

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause 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 the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Match action 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 absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments 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 their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a professional 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 week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark 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 line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught 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 adrift is not what we would want. 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 more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

Player of the Match

Number: 89 A. Kyziridis
Average rating 8.65

Team Ratings

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

Celtic Ratings

  • Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
  • Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
  • Number: 63 K. Tierney - Score: 3.68
  • Jersey: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
  • Number: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
  • Number: 51 C. Donovan - Score: 3.34
  • Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
  • Number: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
  • Jersey: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
  • Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
  • Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
  • Jersey:
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Colleen Parker

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