🔗 Share this article Rampant Hearts Outclass Meek The Hoops to Move 8 Pts Ahead Lawrence Shankland put the seal on Hearts' statement win Match summary Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and send them eight points clear at the top Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray Hearts go 13 games unbeaten for first time in 27 years The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side. Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from. The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty. Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, 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 consign Celtic to back-to-back losses 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 not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years. McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960. The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up. But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration. Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide. The Glasgow team 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 Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers. Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for the captain, who slotted home. Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers. Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability 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 Schmeichel from the just outside the area. Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel. Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles. The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul. Post-Match Comments The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out. "Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality. "We're in a positive moment 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 normally an indication of your standing." The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing 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 improve with the attempt. "There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play. "We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play." Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams? The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren. Player of the Match Number: 89 A. Kyziridis Player rating 8.65 Team Player Scores Number: 89 A. Kyziridis - Score: 8.65 Jersey: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40 Number: 4 C. Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30 Number: 10 Braga - Score: 8.27 Jersey: 14 Cameron Devlin - Score: 8.22 Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16 Jersey: 19 Stuart Findlay - Average Rating: 8.07 Number: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06 Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05 Number: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04 Number: 31 Owen McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74 Number: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35 Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Score: 7.22 Jersey: 22 T. Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05 Number: 15 M. Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01 Jersey: 5 J. McCart - Average Rating: 6.82 Visitors Ratings Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02 Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85 Jersey: 63 K. Tierney - Score: 3.68 Jersey: 23 S. Tounekti - Average Rating: 3.56 Number: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43 Jersey: 51 Cillian Donovan - Average Rating: 3.34 Number: 8 B. Nygren - Score: 3.28 Number: 27 A. Engels - Score: 3.24 Jersey: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10 Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09 Number: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05 Jersey: