Hearts showed they could be title contenders by overwhelming Celtic and moving eight points clear at the top of the Premiership.
The Hoops were hoping to avoid consecutive league losses, but the Jambos were undefeated heading into the much-awaited matchup.
Dane Murray, who replaced the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, gave them an early lead with a nightmarish own goal, but Callum McGregor equalized in the frenzy of the first half.
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Hearts take an early lead as Celtic’s Dane Murray slots the ball into his own net.
As deafening chants of “we will not be moved” rang out around Tynecastle Park, Derek McInnes’ side dominated, with Alex Kyzyridis restoring the lead.
Murray’s afternoon was even worse, as he brought down Claudio Braga in the box. Captain Lawrence Shankland stepped up and fired a shot from the penalty spot to put the game out of reach.
Celtic were unable to respond and many are now wondering if their former club’s 40-year title reign is really under threat.
Hart asks questions Celtic can’t answer
Manager McInnes had urged the Hearts support to make Tynecastle “as hostile and noisy as possible” and would have been pleased to see his team start in such an excited atmosphere.
Celtic appeared to be faltering in the early going, but the hosts established an early advantage in the eighth minute.
Stephen Kingsley’s cross from the left was turned in by Shankland and Claudio Braga headed home, but Kasper Schmeichel smashed it against the post.
The ball broke to Shankland on the right of the six-yard box, the Hearts captain slotted the ball into goal, and with just one yard to go Murray’s attempted clearance was pushed into his own net.
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Celtic captain Callum McGregor scores the equalizer against Hearts after the home side took an early lead
However, the hosts were unable to change things and Celtic equalized four minutes later with a stunning goal. Kieran Tierney overlapped Sebastian Tunekuti in the box and his low shot was guided into the bottom corner by McGregor from just outside the box six yards.
After breaking the early momentum, the champions began to take the lead, but were fortunate to avoid falling behind again after the 30th minute when Murray’s clearance bounced off teammate Donovan and narrowly missed Schmeichel’s left post.
Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schworrow had to make a big save to deny Benjamin Nygren’s shot from close range in the 38th minute.
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Alexandros Kyziridis gives Hearts the lead again against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership
However, the home team regained control in the 52nd minute. Kuziridis cut in from the left, past Nygren and fired a low right-footed shot from the edge of the box, but it went over the head of Schmeichel, who was furious at his failure to put pressure on the ball.
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Lawrence Shankland led the home side to a 3-1 win over Celtic as Hearts looked to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Just two minutes later, Hearts had a chance to extend their lead when Braga ran into Shankland’s path and was bundled in by Murray inside the penalty area, giving him a penalty.
Shankland kept his cool and scored as Hearts cruised to an impressive victory.
McInnes refused to get carried away.
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Hearts manager Derek McInnes shares his thoughts on his side’s impressive 3-1 win over Celtic as Hearts widen their lead at the top of the table.
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes said on Sky Sports:
“We are happy to get the three points and pocket it. But in terms of belief and confidence, I don’t think it will hurt us.”
“I don’t think this is a statement victory. For others looking in from the outside, it might change their opinion. It might justify the idea that it’s a tightrope walk.
“I truly believe that, and I will continue to believe that, but I think it’s much smarter to have a real assumption of where the team is going to go after a few rounds of the game.
“But let’s not kid ourselves, we’re really happy with what they gave us.
“I thought this was a strong performance that we needed. I thought it was a polished performance, but it needed a little more polish.”
“I think technically we’re in a good situation and physically we’re certainly in a good situation. I hope it stays that way for a long time.”
Naturally, it’s not a position this club is used to.
Mr. Rogers seeks “perspective”
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Brendan Rodgers says Celtic still have a long way to go in the season after losing 3-1 at Tynecastle, leaving them eight points behind league leaders Hearts.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said on Sky Sports:
“We are aware of the challenges, but I think there is a view that after today we still have 29 games to play.
“The important day is the last game in May.
“We haven’t had the start we wanted, but we have to keep believing and keep working with them to get the best out of them.”
