Hearts Extend 8 Points Clear Ahead at Top After Shankland's Spot-Kick Sees Off Celtic
History wasn't made at Tynecastle, with it being far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's long-standing dominance by two. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over Celtic, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Second Half
A crucial three-minute spell were key, once the initial exchanges that was evenly matched. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the remainder of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the static the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, Murray upending Braga for a foul that Lawrence Shankland slotted home. Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Hoops' Reaction
The away side responded positively from the hosts' quick opening. Murray, who had a difficult day, scored an own goal due to haste when trying to clear a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pass for 1-1.
Solid Backline
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which deflected off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the game concluded. “We shall not be moved” has become the favoured chant at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
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