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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.

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

The last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title 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 Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts 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.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm 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 found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled 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 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 achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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