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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season title credentials and worsen the struggles around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike 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 - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a energetic 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 the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

Celtic didn't aid their cause 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 Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Aside 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 regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, 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 replacement Ageu not been stopped by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break 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 continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

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

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"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."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they should have players offside but weren't. We have got to improve 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 adrift is not ideal. The comfort 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."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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