🔗 Share this article Hearts Push 8 Points Ahead in Front at the Pinnacle Following Shankland's Penalty Overcomes The Hoops History wasn't made at Tynecastle, as it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine credible shot of breaking Scottish football's long-standing dominance by two. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down. Key Moments in the Latter Period A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, following a tight first half that was contested closely. What was so notable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how stress-free the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, drifting inside before firing a powerful effort past the stationary the Celtic keeper. More joy followed in the stands, Murray upending Cláudio Braga for a foul that Shankland tucked away. Rodgers appeared frustrated; his problems are mounting. The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic. Celtic's Response The away side responded positively from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to remove a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney cutback for level terms. Hearts' Defensive Resilience The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, blocked an Arne Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the favoured chant at the stadium. One cannot overlook the excitement. Full report coming soon.