The Tynecastle side Extend Eight Points Ahead Clear at the Summit Following Shankland's Penalty Overcomes Celtic
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, with it being far too early for such achievements. The encounter underlined is that Hearts have a genuine strong chance of ending Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
A crucial three-minute spell made the difference, once the initial exchanges that was evenly matched. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the closing stages of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger netted the second goal, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. More joy followed in the stands, the Celtic defender bringing down Braga for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland converted. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to remove a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pass for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It is becoming increasingly difficult the noise.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
