The Tynecastle side Move Eight Points Ahead in Front at the Summit Following Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Sees Off The Hoops
History wasn't made at their home ground, as it's far too early for such landmarks. This game highlighted is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with credible shot of disrupting Scottish football's four decade-long dominance by two. They now lead by eight points for the team over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Turning Point in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, after an opening period that was fiercely fought. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the stationary the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Dane Murray fouling Braga for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic had actually recovered well from an early setback. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, scored an own goal due to confusion when trying to remove a ball into the box. The Hoops worked their way into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney pass for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which deflected off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. One cannot overlook the buzz.
- Full report to follow.
