Dominant Heart of Midlothian Defeat Meek The Hoops to Go Eight Pts Ahead
At a glance
- Kyziridis & Shankland secure Hearts win and send them eight points clear at summit
- Callum McGregor cancelled out the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hosts go 13 league matches unbeaten for the first occasion in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.
Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not overcome.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal 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.
A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.
The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.
The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.
But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.
Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors
The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.
Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.
A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.
Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder 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 substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.
Almost straight away, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical 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 week in, week out.
"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Recent additions 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 loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark 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 line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. 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 present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."
Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?
Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Team Player Scores
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 C. Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Number: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Number: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82
Visitors Ratings
- Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Number: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Number: 27 Arne Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
- Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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