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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, 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.

Almost straight away, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

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

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions 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 keep winning. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

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 pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday 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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