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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions 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 bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

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 commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for 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 absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray tripped Braga in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

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

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions 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 loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

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

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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