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Rampant Hearts surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net 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 Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne 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 booked for a professional foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing 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 didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"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 positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

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

What's Next for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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