The Jambos Push Eight Points in Front at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Sees Off The Hoops

We did not witness at Tynecastle, since it's far too early for such landmarks. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of ending Scottish football's 40-year dominance by two. They now lead by eight points for the team over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.

Turning Point in the Second Half

Three second-half minutes were key, following a tight first half that was evenly matched. It was remarkable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis netted the second goal, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the stationary the Celtic keeper. More joy followed in the stands, Murray fouling the Hearts player for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.

The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.

The Visitors' Fightback

Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to clear a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney pass for the equaliser.

Hearts' Defensive Resilience

The keeper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which deflected off Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the minutes passed. “We remain resolute” has become the popular anthem at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the noise.