The Tynecastle side Move Eight Points Ahead at the Summit After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Overcomes The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle, as it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with credible shot of disrupting Scottish football's four decade-long stranglehold. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
Key Moments in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes were key, once the initial exchanges that was fiercely fought. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the rest of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis netted the second goal, moving infield before blasting a strike past the stationary the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, the Celtic defender bringing down Cláudio Braga for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, conceded an own goal due to haste when trying to clear a ball into the box. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pull-back for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the game concluded. “We remain resolute” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It is becoming increasingly difficult the excitement.
- Complete analysis to follow.
