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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders 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 Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic 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 the visitors to back-to-back losses for the first time since 2023.

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

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers 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 deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted 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 stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

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

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated 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 Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, 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 before. 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 keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.

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

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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