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Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season title credentials and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not recover from.

The young defender - 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 youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

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

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season 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.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts 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 Depleted The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause 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 Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, Murray fouled Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. 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 two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

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

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "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 weren't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

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

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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