Hearts Extend 8 Points Ahead Clear at Top Following Shankland's Penalty Sees Off Celtic
A historic moment didn't occur at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such achievements. This game highlighted is that Hearts possess a real strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's four decade-long dominance by two. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over their rivals, whom they comfortably swatted aside. The challenge is now for others.
Turning Point in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, after an opening period that was contested closely. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the motionless the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray bringing down Braga for a penalty that Shankland slotted home. The Celtic manager looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from Hearts’ rapid start. Murray, who had a difficult day, conceded an own goal due to haste when trying to deal with a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, skipper McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney pull-back for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the excitement.
- Full report coming soon.
