Rampant Hearts Defeat Struggling Celtic to Extend Eight Points Clear

Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

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 the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion 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 not secured the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at the club - 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.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened 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 aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

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 their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a cynical 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 skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. 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."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, 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 still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

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

What's Next for Both Sides?

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