Dominant Heart of Midlothian Outclass Disappointing Celtic to Extend 8 Points in Front
Key points
- Hearts' attacking duo secure Hearts win and send them eight points clear at the top
- Celtic's McGregor cancelled out the early own goal by Dane Murray
- Hearts extend 13 games unbeaten for the first occasion in over two decades
The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the struggles 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 recover from.
The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.
Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.
But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since 2023.
It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.
The last time they were so far clear 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 last three decades.
McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.
The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.
But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.
Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors
Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.
Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness 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 turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.
The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who slotted home.
Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.
The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.
Almost straight away, Murray fouled Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.
Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.
The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.
What They Said
The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.
"What we have got, 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're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures 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 ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, 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 still so early. It's only nine games in. Clearly, 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 more quality in our play."
What's Next for These Teams?
The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.
Player of the Match
Hearts Player Scores
- 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 - Score: 8.27
- Number: 14 Cameron Devlin - Average Rating: 8.22
- Jersey: 6 Beni Baningime - Score: 8.16
- Number: 19 Stuart Findlay - Score: 8.07
- Number: 3 S. Kingsley - Average Rating: 8.06
- Jersey: 18 H. Milne - Average Rating: 8.05
- Jersey: 25 Alexander Schwolow - Score: 8.04
- Jersey: 31 O. McEntee - Score: 7.74
- Jersey: 40 Ageu - Average Rating: 7.35
- Jersey: 7 Eliezer Kabangu - Score: 7.22
- Jersey: 22 Theodor Magnússon - Average Rating: 7.05
- Jersey: 15 M. Steinwender - Score: 7.01
- Jersey: 5 Jamie McCart - Average Rating: 6.82
Visitors Player Scores
- Number: 42 C. McGregor - Average Rating: 4.02
- Number: 1 K. Schmeichel - Score: 3.85
- Number: 63 Kieran Tierney - Score: 3.68
- Number: 23 S. Tounekti - Score: 3.56
- Number: 5 L. Scales - Score: 3.43
- Number: 51 C. Donovan - Score: 3.34
- Jersey: 8 Benjamin Nygren - Score: 3.28
- Number: 27 Arne Engels - Average Rating: 3.24
- Number: 49 J. Forrest - Score: 3.10
- Jersey: 14 L. McCowan - Average Rating: 3.09
- Number: 41 R. Hatate - Score: 3.05
- Jersey: