The Jambos Push Eight Points Ahead at the Pinnacle After Shankland's Spot-Kick Defeats The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, with it being far too early for such landmarks. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club possess a real credible shot of ending Scottish football's long-standing stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for Hearts over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
Decisive Period in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes made the difference, after an opening period that was fiercely fought. It was remarkable after they extended their advantage was how stress-free the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before thumping a right-footed shot past the static the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling the Hearts player for a penalty that the captain slotted home. The Celtic manager looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to haste when trying to clear a ball into the box. They gradually fought back into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had denied from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. The hosts faced little else as the minutes passed. “We shall not be moved” has become the popular anthem at the ground. It is becoming increasingly difficult the noise.
- Detailed coverage to follow.
