The Jambos Move Eight Points Clear Clear at Top Following Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at their home ground, as it's far too early for such achievements. The encounter underlined is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine credible shot of disrupting Scottish football's long-standing stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over their rivals, whom they decisively beat. The challenge is now for others.
Turning Point in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase proved decisive, following a tight first half that was evenly matched. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the hosts. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before thumping a right-footed shot past the motionless the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender upending the Hearts player for a foul that Shankland converted. Rodgers looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, conceded an own goal due to panic when trying to remove a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pass for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which deflected off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It is becoming increasingly difficult the noise.
- Full report coming soon.
