Hearts Move Eight Points Clear at Top Following Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Defeats Celtic
A historic moment didn't occur at their home ground, since it's far too early for such landmarks. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with strong chance of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes were key, after an opening period that was contested closely. What was so notable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. More joy followed in the stands, Murray upending Braga for a penalty that Shankland tucked away. Rodgers looked dejected; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Hoops' Reaction
The away side responded positively from an early setback. The defender, who had a difficult day, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to clear a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Stubborn Defence
The Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which deflected off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. They comfortably saw out the game as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the popular anthem at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the excitement.
- Full report to follow.