Dominant Hearts Outclass Meek The Hoops to Move 8 Pts Clear

Hearts striker 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
  • Hosts go 13 games unbeaten for first time in 27 years

Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand the visitors 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 this far ahead was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions 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 flawless and stuttering starts 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 Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Key moment from Hearts vs Celtic

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. 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 record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it 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 only three points. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

Star Performer

Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis
Player rating 8.65

Team Player Scores

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

Visitors Ratings

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

A seasoned casino gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in slot machine mechanics and player strategy optimization.