The Tynecastle side Push 8 Points Clear Clear at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Sees Off The Hoops
We did not witness at their home ground, with it being far too early for such milestones. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's long-standing stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for the team over Celtic, whom they comfortably swatted aside. The challenge is now for others.
Turning Point in the After the Break
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, following a tight first half that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the remainder of the game was for the hosts. Alexandros Kyziridis netted the second goal, drifting inside before firing a powerful effort past the motionless the Celtic keeper. More joy followed in the stands, Dane Murray upending the Hearts player for a spot-kick that Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
The away side responded positively from the hosts' quick opening. Murray, who struggled throughout, conceded an own goal due to confusion when trying to remove a Shankland cross. The Hoops worked their way into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney cutback for 1-1.
Solid Backline
The Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in stoppage time. They comfortably saw out the game as the minutes passed. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the noise.
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