The Jambos Extend Eight Points in Front at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Sees Off Celtic
History wasn't made at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such achievements. The encounter underlined is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long stranglehold. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes made the difference, following a tight first half that was contested closely. The striking aspect after they extended their advantage was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before thumping a right-footed shot past the stationary the Celtic keeper. More joy followed in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a foul that Shankland slotted home. Rodgers appeared frustrated; challenges abound for him.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to clear a Shankland cross. They gradually fought back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney pass for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which deflected off Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. The hosts faced little else as the minutes passed. “We remain resolute” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
- Full report coming soon.
