Hearts Move 8 Points in Front at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes Celtic
History wasn't made at Tynecastle, since it's far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long title duopoly. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the After the Break
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, once the initial exchanges that was evenly matched. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how stress-free the remainder of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger doubled the lead, drifting inside before blasting a strike past the stationary Kasper Schmeichel. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a foul that Lawrence Shankland converted. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; challenges abound for him.
Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic had actually recovered well from an early setback. Murray, who had a difficult day, conceded an own goal due to panic when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, scoring a Tierney pass for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Craig Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in added time. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the popular anthem at the stadium. It is becoming increasingly difficult the noise.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
