Rampant Heart of Midlothian Outclass Meek The Hoops to Extend 8 Points Ahead

The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike 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 - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, 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 right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break 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 Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

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 consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings 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 keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive 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."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.