Hearts Extend 8 Points in Front at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such landmarks. This game highlighted is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with credible shot of breaking Scottish football's 40-year dominance by two. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, following a tight first half that was contested closely. It was remarkable after they extended their advantage was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis doubled the lead, moving infield before blasting a strike past the static the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Murray fouling the Hearts player for a penalty that the captain converted. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
The away side responded positively from Hearts’ rapid start. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, conceded an own goal due to haste when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain McGregor, finishing a Tierney pass for the equaliser.
Stubborn Defence
The Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in stoppage time. They comfortably saw out the game as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Detailed coverage will be available.
