Hearts Push 8 Points Ahead at the Pinnacle Following Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Defeats The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle, since it's far too early for such achievements. This game highlighted is that Hearts are at least in with credible shot of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long dominance by two. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Key Moments in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase were key, after an opening period that was evenly matched. The striking aspect after they extended their advantage was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, moving infield before firing a powerful effort past the motionless the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; challenges abound for him.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. The defender, who had a difficult day, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to deal with a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney pass for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which deflected off Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Shin 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 Tynecastle. One cannot overlook the buzz.
- Detailed coverage coming soon.
