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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not recover from.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement 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 Celtic in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since 2023.

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

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, 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 past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: The hosts Capitalize of Depleted Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker delivered a ball for Shankland to stab wide.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm 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 struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, the defender tripped Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was partially encapsulated in a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is good technical ability. 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 important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the shot.

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

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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