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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early-season title credentials and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

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

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - 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 quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.

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

The previous occasion 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 not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side 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 the 1960s.

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

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork 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 stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for the captain, who slotted home.

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

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents 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 togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

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

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren'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 just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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