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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

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 ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions 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 second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to play down title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - 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 need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

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

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

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

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

What They Said

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.

"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 crucial 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."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal 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 didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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