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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on 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 Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side 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 George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts 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 Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

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

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments 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 Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. 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 important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move 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.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. 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 better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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