Hearts Move 8 Points Clear in Front at Top After Shankland's Spot-Kick Defeats The Hoops
History wasn't made at Tynecastle, since it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with credible shot of breaking Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for the team over Celtic, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase were key, after an opening period that was evenly matched. What was so notable after they extended their advantage was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the stationary the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Murray upending Cláudio Braga for a spot-kick that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against the opposition.
Celtic's Response
The away side responded positively from Hearts’ rapid start. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to deal with a ball into the box. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney pull-back for the equaliser.
Solid Backline
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the game concluded. “We remain resolute” has become the favoured chant at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Complete analysis to follow.
