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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen 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 - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, 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, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

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 summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown 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 the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied 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 midweek exploits in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents 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 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 only three points. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve 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 points behind is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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