The Jambos Move Eight Points Clear Ahead at the Summit After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Sees Off The Glasgow Giants
History wasn't made at their home ground, with it being far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over Celtic, whom they decisively beat. Try to chase them down.
Decisive Period in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, after an opening period that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Kyziridis scored Heartsā second, drifting inside before firing a powerful effort past the motionless the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, Murray upending Braga for a spot-kick that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Rodgers looked dejected; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
The away side responded positively from an early setback. Dane Murray, who had a difficult day, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to clear a Shankland cross. They gradually fought back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which touched MagnĆŗsson. Craig Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. The hosts faced little else as the clock ticked down. āWe shall not be movedā has become the popular anthem at the ground. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
- Complete analysis to follow.
