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Rampant Hearts powered eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - 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.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Apart from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

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

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

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

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The positive is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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