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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty 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 - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles 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

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

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here before. Recent additions 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 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 failed to push up 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 shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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