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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.

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

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren 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 seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.

The last time they were this far ahead 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 after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

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

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated 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 unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

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

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, the defender tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, 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're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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