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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early title credentials and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net early on to put Hearts ahead at a bouncing their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand the visitors to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers has seen it all before at Celtic - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Depleted The Visitors

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side undefeated 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 first real examination.

A headed effort from Braga was touched on to a post by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who slotted home.

Apart from the Nygren chance, the visitors struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of stricken attackers their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray tripped Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland converted. 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 a couple of moments involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the Europa League win over their Austrian opponents and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures is typically a benchmark of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled 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.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight points behind is not what we would want. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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