Heart 3-1 Celtic: Jambos power past sorry Hoops to go eight points clear
Celtic were well beaten at a buoyant Tynecastle
Hearts moved eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a hugely impressive 3-1 win over second-placed Celtic this afternoon.
The unbeaten hosts have now won eight of their nine league games this season and the manner of today’s performance – as well as the disharmony at both Celtic and Rangers – adds weight to the prospect of the Edinburgh club landing their first Scottish title since 1960.
Celtic didn’t help themselves and a wild own goal from Dane Murray put Hearts in front after eight minutes. Kasper Schmeichel did well to save Claudio Braga’s header but when the ball was hooked back across goal by Lawrence Shankland, Murray could only slash it into his own net.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were rocked but levelled four minutes later, captain Callum McGregor firing into the far corner after good work from Kieran Tierney.
Colby Donovan nearly put through his own goal after being hit with another Murray clearance before Celtic came close after 37 minutes, Benjamin Nygren seeing a delicate effort saved by home goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow.
Alexandros Kyziridis showed Nygren how to finish seven minutes into the second period, jinking into the box before finishing crispy past Schmeichel.
It was 3-1 three minutes later as Murray’s miserable afternoon took another turn for the worse when he was adjudged to have tripped Braga inside the area. Shankland made no mistake from the spot and Tynecastle was bouncing.
Schmeichel denied Ageu a fourth with a good save before Celtic had two chances to reduce the arrears, substitute Luke McCowan dragging a low shot wide and Shin Yamada seeing an effort blocked by Craig Halkett.