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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season championship claims and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to consign Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the hapless defender, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released the full-back to square for the captain, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Immediately after, Murray fouled Braga in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. 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 partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is good technical ability. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Some of the new signings are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's important for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. 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 ball went back as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the attempt.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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