The Tynecastle side Push 8 Points in Front at the Pinnacle After Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Glasgow Giants
A historic moment didn't occur at Tynecastle Park, with it being far too early for such achievements. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with strong chance of ending Scottish football's four decade-long title duopoly. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over their rivals, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Decisive Period in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase were key, after an opening period that was contested closely. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the home side. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the static the goalkeeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Dane Murray upending Cláudio Braga for a penalty that Shankland converted. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; his problems are mounting.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, scored an own goal due to confusion when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. The Hoops worked their way into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney cutback for level terms.
Solid Backline
The keeper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the favoured chant at the stadium. It is becoming increasingly difficult the noise.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
