Hearts Push Eight Points Ahead Ahead at Top After Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats Celtic
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, with it being far too early for such landmarks. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's long-standing title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Key Moments in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes made the difference, after an opening period that was fiercely fought. What was so notable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, moving infield before blasting a strike past the motionless the Celtic keeper. More joy followed in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a penalty that the captain converted. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Hoops' Reaction
The away side responded positively from Hearts’ rapid start. Dane Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Stubborn Defence
The keeper Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. The hosts faced little else as the minutes passed. “We stand firm” has become the popular anthem at the ground. One cannot overlook the buzz.
- Full report to follow.