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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign the visitors 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 so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win 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 working hard to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

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

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts 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 just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

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

The midfielder's wayward free-kick 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.

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 week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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