Hearts Extend 8 Points Clear Clear at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes Celtic
History wasn't made at their home ground, since it's far too early for such milestones. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's 40-year title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Decisive Period in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase were key, after an opening period that was contested closely. It was remarkable after they extended their advantage was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the home side. Kyziridis netted the second goal, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the static the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a penalty that Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic had actually recovered well from Hearts’ rapid start. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to panic when trying to remove a ball into the box. The Hoops worked their way into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pass for the equaliser.
Solid Backline
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. The hosts faced little else as the minutes passed. “We stand firm” has become the favoured chant at the ground. It is becoming increasingly difficult the excitement.
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