The Tynecastle side Push Eight Points in Front at Top Following Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle, since it's far too early for such achievements. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long dominance by two. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over Celtic, whom they comfortably swatted aside. The challenge is now for others.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, once the initial exchanges that was fiercely fought. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the closing stages of the game was for the hosts. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, drifting inside before firing a powerful effort past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. More joy followed in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a spot-kick that Lawrence Shankland slotted home. The Celtic manager cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
Supporters began celebrating after Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against the opposition.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who struggled throughout, conceded an own goal due to confusion when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. They gradually fought back into the game, leader McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pull-back for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. The hosts faced little else as the game concluded. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
