Rampant Heart of Midlothian Overpower Meek Celtic to Go Eight Points Clear
At a glance
- Kyziridis & Shankland secure Hearts win and send them eight ahead at summit
- Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts go 13 league matches without defeat for first time in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early-season title credentials and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not overcome.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement 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 Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.
But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.
The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings 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 Weakened The Visitors
Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.
Celtic didn't help themselves 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 the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.
Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.
Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team 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, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.
Almost straight away, Murray tripped 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 stopped by the shot-stopper.
The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.
The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.
What They Said
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own 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 keen to demonstrate their quality.
"We've got a good thing going 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. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."
The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.
"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.
"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.
Star Performer
Team Ratings
- Jersey: 89 A. Kyziridis - Average Rating: 8.65
- Number: 9 L. Shankland - Score: 8.40
- Number: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Number: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Number: 6 Beni Baningime - Average Rating: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 Harry Milne - Score: 8.05
- Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Number: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Average Rating: 7.22
- Number: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Number: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Score: 6.82
Visitors Player Scores
- Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Score: 4.02
- Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Average Rating: 3.68
- Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Average Rating: 3.43
- Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34
- Number: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 A. Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
- Number: 49 J. Forrest - Average Rating: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 Liam McCowan - Score: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Score: 3.05
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