The Jambos Push 8 Points Clear Clear at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats Celtic
A historic moment didn't occur at their home ground, since it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian possess a real credible shot of ending Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Decisive Period in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, once the initial exchanges that was evenly matched. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how stress-free the remainder of the game was for the home side. Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, moving infield before firing a powerful effort past the stationary the goalkeeper. More joy followed in the stands, Dane Murray upending the Hearts player for a spot-kick that Lawrence Shankland converted. Rodgers appeared frustrated; his problems are mounting.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic had actually recovered well from an early setback. Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to panic when trying to deal with a Shankland cross. The Hoops worked their way into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Solid Backline
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, blocked an Arne Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Yamada attempt in stoppage time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Full report to follow.
