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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

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

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.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings 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: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

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

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

The home team rediscovered their energy and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

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

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's only nine games in. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

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

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