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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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