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Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated 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 initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

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 relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray fouled Braga in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded 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 sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players 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 only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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