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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net early on to put the home side 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 swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under their former manager, 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 title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

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

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause 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 Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, who slotted home.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "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 witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, 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 Both Sides?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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