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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early title credentials and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

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

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

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

The last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since 1960.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

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 fire off target.

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

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 one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for the captain, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

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 relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

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

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions 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 maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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