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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

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 bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse 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 initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened 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.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

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 hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne 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 professional foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. 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 your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up 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 improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind 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 achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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