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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

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

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

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

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured 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 multiple times, has been working hard to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

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

Match Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.

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

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender fouled Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players 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 keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. 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 play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, 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 only nine games in. Obviously, 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 find more consistency and better performance in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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