Rampant Heart of Midlothian Defeat Struggling The Hoops to Move 8 Points in Front

The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season championship claims and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard 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 Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, the defender tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. 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 previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. 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 failed to push up when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.