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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not recover from.

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 penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

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

The last time 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 after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts 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.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause 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 diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

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

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "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 still so early. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. 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 better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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