Hearts Push 8 Points Clear Ahead at Top After Shankland's Penalty Kick Sees Off Celtic
We did not witness at their home ground, with it being far too early for such landmarks. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's four decade-long title duopoly. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase were key, once the initial exchanges that was evenly matched. What was so notable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how untroubled the closing stages of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the static Kasper Schmeichel. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender bringing down Braga for a spot-kick that the captain tucked away. The Celtic manager cut such a disconsolate figure; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Murray, who struggled throughout, conceded an own goal due to haste when trying to clear a ball into the box. The Hoops worked their way into the game, leader Callum McGregor, scoring a Tierney pull-back for the equaliser.
Solid Backline
The Hearts goalkeeper Schwolow, who had denied from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the popular anthem at the ground. It is becoming increasingly difficult the buzz.
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