The Tynecastle side Move 8 Points in Front at the Pinnacle Following Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Defeats The Glasgow Giants
History wasn't made at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such milestones. This game highlighted is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's four decade-long stranglehold. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. The challenge is now for others.
Decisive Period in the After the Break
Three second-half minutes were key, once the initial exchanges that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the home side. Kyziridis netted the second goal, moving infield before blasting a strike past the stationary Kasper Schmeichel. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling the Hearts player for a penalty that the captain tucked away. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against the opposition.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to remove a Shankland cross. They gradually fought back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, turning home a Tierney pass for 1-1.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which deflected off Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in stoppage time. The hosts faced little else as the game concluded. “We remain resolute” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. It is becoming increasingly difficult the excitement.
- Full report to follow.