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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not overcome.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions 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 runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club 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 never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

What They Said

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

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings 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 maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve 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 points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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