Hearts Push Eight Points Clear Ahead at the Pinnacle Following Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Defeats The Glasgow Giants
History wasn't made at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such landmarks. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with credible shot of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long dominance by two. Make that an eight-point lead for Hearts over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
Turning Point in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase were key, after an opening period that was contested closely. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the closing stages of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger netted the second goal, moving infield before blasting a strike past the motionless the goalkeeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Dane Murray fouling the Hearts player for a spot-kick that Shankland slotted home. Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from the hosts' quick opening. Murray, who had a difficult day, scored an own goal due to confusion when trying to clear a delivery from Shankland. They gradually fought back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney cutback for 1-1.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. They comfortably saw out the game as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the excitement.
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