Hearts Extend 8 Points Ahead Ahead at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such achievements. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine credible shot of disrupting Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they decisively beat. Try to chase them down.
Key Moments in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes were key, following a tight first half that was contested closely. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the hosts. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the static the goalkeeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, the Celtic defender upending Cláudio Braga for a foul that Lawrence Shankland slotted home. The Celtic manager cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic bounced back from Hearts’ rapid start. The defender, who had a difficult day, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to remove a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, turning home a Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which flicked off Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. The hosts faced little else as the clock ticked down. “We remain resolute” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Complete analysis to follow.
