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Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic 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 last year.

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

The last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

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

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute 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, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated 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 their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough 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 previously. 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 important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, 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 just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

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, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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