Hearts Push Eight Points in Front at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Sees Off The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such achievements. This game highlighted is that Hearts possess a real strong chance of breaking Scottish football's long-standing dominance by two. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
Decisive Period in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, following a tight first half that was evenly matched. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how stress-free the rest of the game was for the hosts. Kyziridis netted the second goal, moving infield before firing a powerful effort past the static the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Murray fouling Braga for a foul that the captain slotted home. Rodgers appeared frustrated; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. Dane Murray, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to deal with a ball into the box. They gradually fought back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the minutes passed. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. One cannot overlook the excitement.
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