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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early championship claims and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

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

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal 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 the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign the visitors 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 last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side 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 the 1960s.

Rodgers has seen it all before 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 Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

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

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers their key strikers.

The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark 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 shot.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

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

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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