Hearts Move Eight Points Clear in Front at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Overcomes Celtic
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such milestones. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of disrupting Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over their rivals, whom they decisively beat. Try to chase them down.
Key Moments in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase were key, following a tight first half that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after they extended their advantage was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray fouling Cláudio Braga for a penalty that Shankland slotted home. Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Dane Murray, who had a difficult day, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to remove a ball into the box. They gradually fought back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the minutes passed. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. One cannot overlook the buzz.
- Complete analysis to follow.
