Rampant Heart of Midlothian Overpower Disappointing Celtic to Move 8 Pts Ahead
Match summary
- Hearts' attacking duo earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight ahead at summit
- Celtic's 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 points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the malaise 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.
Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing 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 the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.
But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were this far ahead 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.
The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.
Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.
But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.
Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors
Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten 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 unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.
A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.
The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.
Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.
Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.
Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.
Post-Match Comments
The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. 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 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 loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they should have players 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 positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.
"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Team Player Scores
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Number: 4 Craig Halkett - Score: 8.30
- Number: 10 Braga - Score: 8.27
- Number: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Number: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Number: 18 H. Milne - Score: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Number: 31 O. McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Number: 5 J. McCart - Score: 6.82
Visitors Player Scores
- Number: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 K. Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Jersey: 51 C. Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Number: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Number: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
- Jersey: