Hearts Push 8 Points Ahead in Front at the Summit After Shankland's Penalty Kick Sees Off Celtic

We did not witness at their home ground, as it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian possess a real strong chance of breaking Scottish football's long-standing dominance by two. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.

Key Moments in the After the Break

Three second-half minutes proved decisive, following a tight first half that was contested closely. It was remarkable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how comfortable the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger doubled the lead, drifting inside before firing a powerful effort past the static Kasper Schmeichel. More joy followed in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a foul that the captain tucked away. The Celtic manager cut such a disconsolate figure; his problems are mounting.

Supporters began celebrating after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.

The Visitors' Fightback

The away side responded positively from an early setback. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney pass for the equaliser.

Solid Backline

The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the popular anthem at the ground. It is becoming increasingly difficult the buzz.

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