Dominant Hearts Defeat Disappointing Celtic to Go Eight Pts Clear
Key points
- Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and send them eight ahead at summit
- Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts go 13 league matches without defeat for first time in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season title credentials and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.
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 - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.
A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow 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 commanding advantage at the summit.
The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.
The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to play down title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.
Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.
Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened 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 Shankland to fire off target.
Celtic 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 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 injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.
Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.
Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, the defender tripped 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.
The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments 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 Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.
Post-Match Comments
The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.
"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are eager to show that.
"We're in a positive moment 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 where you are."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive 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."
Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?
Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Star Performer
Team Ratings
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Number: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Number: 18 Harry Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Number: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Number: 22 T. Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Number: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82
Visitors Ratings
- Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Number: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Number: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Number: 41 Reo Hatate - Score: 3.05
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