The Tynecastle side Move Eight Points Clear in Front at the Summit After Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Sees Off The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at their home ground, with it being far too early for such milestones. The encounter underlined is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's long-standing title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for the team over their rivals, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, following a tight first half that was contested closely. The striking aspect after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how comfortable the rest of the game was for the hosts. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling Braga for a foul that Shankland slotted home. Rodgers appeared frustrated; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Hoops' Reaction
The away side responded positively from an early setback. Murray, who had a difficult day, scored an own goal due to confusion when trying to clear a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the game concluded. “We shall not be moved” has become the popular anthem at Tynecastle. It is becoming increasingly difficult the excitement.
- Full report coming soon.
