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

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not overcome.

The young defender - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ultimately finished second - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

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

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened The Visitors

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

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork 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 grew into the contest and started building moves. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up the captain, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit 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 yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "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 seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the ball went back as a defensive unit so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight points behind is not ideal. The comfort is there's so many games to play.

"Our attention must turn on the present and look to achieve greater stability and better performance in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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