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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen 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 reigning champions could not overcome.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

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 make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion 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 failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss 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 deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

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

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to square for the captain, who rolled in.

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

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international 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 skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here previously. 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 maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

What's Next 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 St Mirren.

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