Dominant Hearts Outclass Disappointing Celtic to Go Eight Points Ahead
At a glance
- Kyziridis & Shankland earn Hearts win and send them eight ahead at summit
- Celtic's McGregor equalized early Murray own goal
- Hearts extend 13 league matches unbeaten for the first occasion in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the malaise 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 overcome.
Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic 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 Hearts' opener, 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 the visitors to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown 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 need to be taken seriously.
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 stab wide.
The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.
Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.
Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.
The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.
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 stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.
What They Said
The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.
"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings 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, 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 weren't. We have got to do better with the shot.
"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.
"Our attention must turn on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Team Ratings
- Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Number: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Number: 10 Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Number: 6 B. Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Number: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Number: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Number: 7 E. Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 Jamie McCart - Score: 6.82
Visitors Player Scores
- Jersey: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Jersey: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Jersey: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
- Number: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 L. McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
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