The Jambos Move Eight Points Clear at the Pinnacle After Shankland's Penalty Defeats Celtic
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such landmarks. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian possess a real credible shot of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long title duopoly. That advantage stands at eight points for the maroon side over their rivals, whom they decisively beat. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, after an opening period that was evenly matched. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis netted the second goal, cutting in from the left before thumping a right-footed shot past the stationary the goalkeeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling Braga for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland converted. Rodgers looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, scored an own goal due to confusion when trying to deal with a Shankland cross. The Hoops worked their way into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, turning home a Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the favoured chant at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
