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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season championship claims and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had quickly cancelled out the first goal, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers 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 Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

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

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, 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 injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

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 Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne 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.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"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, plenty to improve. 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 didn't move when the ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. 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 more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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