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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

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

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead 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 not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers 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 the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage 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 fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

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

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards 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, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

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

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

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

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move 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 do better with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive 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 better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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