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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight points clear of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players 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 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side 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 - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since 1960.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

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

Celtic didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released Tierney to square for the captain, who rolled in.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

The home team rediscovered their energy and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're seeing that from multiple individuals 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 just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "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 play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

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

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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