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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

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

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses 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 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings 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: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

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

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

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

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

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 good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. 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 crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

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

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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