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Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season title credentials and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts 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 the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness 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 hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

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

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, the defender tripped Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up 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 Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded 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.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, 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 only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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