Hearts Push Eight Points Clear in Front at the Pinnacle Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Defeats The Hoops
A historic moment didn't occur at Tynecastle Park, with it being far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over Celtic, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Decisive Period in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, once the initial exchanges that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how stress-free the rest of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before thumping a right-footed shot past the static the goalkeeper. More joy followed in the stands, Murray fouling the Hearts player for a spot-kick that Shankland slotted home. Brendan Rodgers appeared frustrated; his problems are mounting.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
The away side responded positively from an early setback. The defender, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to clear a ball into the box. The Hoops worked their way into the game, leader Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pass for 1-1.
Solid Backline
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which deflected off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. One cannot overlook the noise.
- Full report will be available.
