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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season 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.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability 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, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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