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Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts 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 swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors 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 the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, 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 past 27 years.

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

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

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

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.

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 fouled Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Recent additions 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 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 didn't move 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 attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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