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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, 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 past 27 years.

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

Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender fouled Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a professional foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but didn'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 here and now and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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