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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

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

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since 2023.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

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

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "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 witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the shot.

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

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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