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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early-season championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

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

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

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

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. 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 important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

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

"Our attention must turn on the present 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 Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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