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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing 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, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper 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 Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season 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.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side 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.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

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

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 European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of where you are."

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 didn't. We have got to do better 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 points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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