The Jambos Move 8 Points Ahead at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at Tynecastle, as it's far too early for such landmarks. The encounter underlined is that Hearts are at least in with credible shot of disrupting Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. That advantage stands at eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes made the difference, after an opening period that was evenly matched. The striking aspect after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the hosts. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, moving infield before thumping a right-footed shot past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Murray upending the Hearts player for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland converted. The Celtic manager looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
Supporters began celebrating after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
The away side responded positively from the hosts' quick opening. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to remove a Shankland cross. They gradually fought back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pull-back for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had denied from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which flicked off Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the minutes passed. “We shall not be moved” has become the favoured chant at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the noise.
- Complete analysis to follow.
