Rampant Hearts Defeat Disappointing The Hoops to Move Eight Pts Clear
Key points
- Kyziridis & Shankland earn victory for the hosts and propel them eight points clear at summit
- Celtic's McGregor cancelled out the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts extend 13 league matches unbeaten for the first occasion in 27 years
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, 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 make a crucial stop.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time 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 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.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.
Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.
Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic
The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.
Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness 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 injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for the captain, who slotted home.
Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.
The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.
The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.
Post-Match Comments
The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.
"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.
"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. 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 didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.
"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."
What's Next for Both Sides?
Celtic are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.
Star Performer
Team Ratings
- Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Jersey: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Number: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Score: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Score: 6.82
Visitors Ratings
- Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 K. Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24
- Number: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 R. Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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