Rampant Hearts Defeat Disappointing The Hoops to Extend Eight Pts Ahead
Match summary
- Hearts' attacking duo earn Hearts win and propel them eight ahead at summit
- Celtic's McGregor equalized the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts extend 13 games unbeaten for first time in 27 years
Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.
A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not overcome.
The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement 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 Celtic 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 consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.
The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.
McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.
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 Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.
Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors
Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.
The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.
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 unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for McGregor, who slotted home.
Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Immediately after, the defender tripped Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.
The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.
The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.
Post-Match Comments
The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.
"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. 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've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."
The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.
"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.
"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."
What's Next 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 top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Team Player Scores
- Jersey: 89 Alexandros Kyziridis - Score: 8.65
- Number: 9 Lawrence Shankland - Average Rating: 8.40
- Jersey: 4 Craig Halkett - Average Rating: 8.30
- Jersey: 10 Cláudio Braga - Average Rating: 8.27
- Jersey: 14 C. Devlin - Score: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Jersey: 19 S. Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Jersey: 3 Stephen Kingsley - Score: 8.06
- Number: 18 Harry Milne - Score: 8.05
- Number: 25 A. Schwolow - Average Rating: 8.04
- Number: 31 O. McEntee - Average Rating: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Score: 7.35
- Number: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Score: 7.05
- Number: 15 Maximilian Steinwender - Average Rating: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Celtic Player Scores
- Number: 42 Callum McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Number: 1 Kasper Schmeichel - Average Rating: 3.85
- Number: 63 K. Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 Sebastian Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Jersey: 5 Liam Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 Cillian Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Number: 8 B. Nygren - Average Rating: 3.28
- Jersey: 27 Arne Engels - Score: 3.24
- Jersey: 49 James Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Number: 14 Liam McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Jersey: 41 Reo Hatate - Average Rating: 3.05
- Number: