The Tynecastle side Extend 8 Points in Front at the Pinnacle Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Hoops
History wasn't made at Tynecastle, with it being far too early for such achievements. This game highlighted is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine credible shot of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long title duopoly. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. The challenge is now for others.
Key Moments in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, once the initial exchanges that was contested closely. The striking aspect after they extended their advantage was how stress-free the rest of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, drifting inside before firing a powerful effort past the stationary the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, Murray upending the Hearts player for a foul that Lawrence Shankland slotted home. The Celtic manager appeared frustrated; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against the opposition.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to deal with a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pass for level terms.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which deflected off Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the game concluded. “We shall not be moved” has become the favoured chant at Tynecastle. One cannot overlook the buzz.
- Full report to follow.
