🔗 Share this article Dominant Hearts Defeat Disappointing Celtic to Move 8 Pts Ahead The Hearts forward put the seal on the team's emphatic victory Key points Hearts' attacking duo earn victory for the hosts and send them eight points clear at summit Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray Hearts go 13 league matches unbeaten for first time in over two decades The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side. A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from. The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, 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 Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range. But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year. It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit. The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades. The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since the 1960s. 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. Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide. Celtic didn't aid their cause 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 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 a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for the captain, who rolled in. Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda. The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area. Almost straight away, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. 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 two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles. The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul. What They Said 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. "Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that. "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 loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds 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 play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren'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 ideal. The comfort 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." What's Next for Both Sides? Celtic are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground. Star Performer Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis Average rating 8.65 Hearts Player Scores Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65 Number: 9 L. Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40 Jersey: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30 Jersey: 10 Braga - Score: 8.27 Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Score: 8.22 Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16 Number: 19 S. Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07 Jersey: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06 Number: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05 Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04 Number: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74 Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35 Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22 Jersey: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05 Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01 Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82 Celtic Player Scores Jersey: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02 Jersey: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85 Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68 Number: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56 Number: 5 Liam Scales - Average Rating: 3.43 Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34 Jersey: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28 Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24 Number: 49 James Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10 Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09 Number: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05 Jersey: