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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not recover from.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

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

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

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

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

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 unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

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 Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "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 weren't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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