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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

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.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic 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 back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

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

Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.

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 tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to square for the captain, who rolled in.

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

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied 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 Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. 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 before. Some of the new signings 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 maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games to play.

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

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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