Rampant Hearts Overpower Struggling The Hoops to Extend 8 Pts Ahead

Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season title credentials and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

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

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 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 past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker 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 touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility 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, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication 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 pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.