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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - 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 spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance 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 top of the table.

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts 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: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland 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 touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory 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 week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, 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 didn't move when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, 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. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures 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?

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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