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Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

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

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out 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 the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were so far clear 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 last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors

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

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header 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 found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up the captain, who rolled in.

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

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals 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 crucial for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of where you are."

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 ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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