The Tynecastle side Extend 8 Points Ahead at the Pinnacle After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Defeats The Glasgow Giants
History wasn't made at Tynecastle, since it's far too early for such milestones. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club possess a real credible shot of ending Scottish football's long-standing dominance by two. That advantage stands at eight points for the team over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
A crucial three-minute spell proved decisive, after an opening period that was evenly matched. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the home side. Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the stationary Kasper Schmeichel. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray bringing down Cláudio Braga for a spot-kick that Lawrence Shankland converted. The Celtic manager appeared frustrated; challenges abound for him.
Supporters began celebrating after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, conceded an own goal due to haste when trying to remove a Shankland cross. They gradually fought back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney cutback for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which flicked off Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in stoppage time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the clock ticked down. “We remain resolute” has become the popular anthem at Tynecastle. One cannot overlook the noise.
- Complete analysis to follow.