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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, 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 Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

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

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for the captain, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a professional foul.

What They Said

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

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."

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 play it, they ought to be caught 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 only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive 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 returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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