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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since 2023.

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

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - 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 multiple times, has been working hard to play down title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

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

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

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 just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a line so when they play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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