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Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic 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 this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, 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.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

The Celtic boss 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 the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

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

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

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement 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 set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, 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 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. Following the initial fixtures 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 ball went back as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren'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. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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