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Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to play down title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to square for the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded 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 seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. 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 loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing 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 do better with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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