Hearts Move 8 Points Clear in Front at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats The Glasgow Giants
A historic moment didn't occur at Tynecastle, with it being far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's long-standing stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they decisively beat. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Second Half
A crucial three-minute spell made the difference, following a tight first half that was contested closely. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how stress-free the closing stages of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis doubled the lead, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the motionless the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, Murray bringing down the Hearts player for a foul that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. The Celtic manager looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against the opposition.
Celtic's Response
Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to panic when trying to deal with a Shankland cross. The Hoops worked their way into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, finishing a Kieran Tierney cutback for 1-1.
Solid Backline
The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which flicked off Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. The hosts faced little else as the clock ticked down. “We remain resolute” has become the favoured chant at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the excitement.
- Full report coming soon.