Hearts Move Eight Points Ahead Clear at Top After Shankland's Penalty Sees Off Celtic

A historic moment didn't occur at Tynecastle, with it being far too early for such milestones. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine serious opportunity of disrupting Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Try to chase them down.

Turning Point in the After the Break

A crucial three-minute spell made the difference, following a tight first half that was contested closely. The striking aspect after they extended their advantage was how stress-free the rest of the game was for the hosts. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the stationary the Celtic keeper. More joy followed in the stands, Murray bringing down the Hearts player for a foul that Shankland converted. Rodgers appeared frustrated; his problems are mounting.

The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.

The Visitors' Fightback

The away side responded positively from Hearts’ rapid start. Murray, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to deal with a delivery from Shankland. The Hoops worked their way into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney cutback for level terms.

Solid Backline

The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which deflected off MagnĂșsson. Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the clock ticked down. “We remain resolute” has become the favoured chant at the ground. It is becoming increasingly difficult the noise.

  • Complete analysis to follow.
Matthew Dean
Matthew Dean

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