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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season title credentials and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net 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 penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their maiden league title since 1960.

Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

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

A headed effort from Braga was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray fouled the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick 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 professional foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, 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 before. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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