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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, the defender fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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