The Tynecastle side Push 8 Points in Front at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Sees Off Celtic
History wasn't made at their home ground, since it's far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine credible shot of ending Scottish football's long-standing title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Turning Point in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, following a tight first half that was contested closely. The striking aspect after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how comfortable the remainder of the game was for the hosts. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, drifting inside before blasting a strike past the static the goalkeeper. More joy followed in the stands, Dane Murray bringing down Cláudio Braga for a foul that Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; his problems are mounting.
Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who had a difficult day, conceded an own goal due to panic when trying to remove a Shankland cross. They gradually fought back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the minutes passed. “We remain resolute” has become the popular anthem at the stadium. One cannot overlook the noise.
- Complete analysis coming soon.