The Jambos Move 8 Points Ahead at the Pinnacle After Shankland's Spot-Kick Sees Off Celtic
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that Hearts possess a real credible shot of ending Scottish football's 40-year title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over Celtic, whom they decisively beat. Try to chase them down.
Key Moments in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes made the difference, after an opening period that was contested closely. The striking aspect after they extended their advantage was how stress-free the remainder of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis doubled the lead, drifting inside before blasting a strike past the static the goalkeeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Murray fouling Braga for a foul that Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
Celtic's Response
Celtic had actually recovered well from Hearts’ rapid start. Murray, who had a difficult day, conceded an own goal due to confusion when trying to remove a Shankland cross. The Hoops worked their way into the game, the captain McGregor, finishing a Tierney pull-back for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which deflected off Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the game concluded. “We remain resolute” has become the popular anthem at the ground. It's hard to ignore the excitement.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
