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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - 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 penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

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

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers 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 deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper 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, the midfielder released the full-back to set up the captain, who slotted home.

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

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break 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 midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games 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 Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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