The Tynecastle side Move Eight Points Clear Ahead at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes Celtic
We did not witness at their home ground, as it's far too early for such landmarks. This game highlighted is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine serious opportunity of disrupting Scottish football's four decade-long title duopoly. That advantage stands at eight points for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
Decisive Period in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase were key, once the initial exchanges that was contested closely. It was remarkable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the static the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling the Hearts player for a spot-kick that Shankland converted. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to clear a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, turning home a Tierney pull-back for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in stoppage time. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the favoured chant at the stadium. One cannot overlook the noise.
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