The Tynecastle side Move 8 Points Ahead in Front at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Glasgow Giants
History wasn't made at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such milestones. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's long-standing dominance by two. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. The challenge is now for others.
Decisive Period in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, after an opening period that was evenly matched. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, drifting inside before thumping a right-footed shot past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. Delight increased in the stands, Murray bringing down Braga for a penalty that Shankland tucked away. Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; challenges abound for him.
Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against the opposition.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Dane Murray, who had a difficult day, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. The Hoops worked their way into the game, leader Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney cutback for level terms.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
- Full report to follow.
