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

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

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

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance 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 uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

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

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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