The Tynecastle side Move 8 Points Clear in Front at Top After Shankland's Penalty Kick Overcomes The Glasgow Giants
History wasn't made at their home ground, with it being far too early for such achievements. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of ending Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. The challenge is now for others.
Key Moments in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, following a tight first half that was contested closely. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the remainder of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the motionless the goalkeeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling the Hearts player for a foul that Shankland converted. Rodgers looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic had actually recovered well from an early setback. Dane Murray, who had a difficult day, conceded an own goal due to confusion when trying to remove a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pass for 1-1.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in stoppage time. They comfortably saw out the game as the minutes passed. “We remain resolute” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
