The Jambos Push 8 Points Ahead at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, with it being far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club possess a real credible shot of breaking Scottish football's 40-year title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, once the initial exchanges that was evenly matched. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the remainder of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, drifting inside before blasting a strike past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Murray bringing down Cláudio Braga for a foul that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to deal with a delivery from Shankland. The Hoops worked their way into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pull-back for 1-1.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which deflected off Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the game concluded. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Complete analysis to follow.
