Hearts Move 8 Points Ahead Clear at Top Following Shankland's Spot-Kick Sees Off The Hoops
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with strong chance of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long dominance by two. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Decisive Period in the After the Break
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, after an opening period that was contested closely. What was so notable after they extended their advantage was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis netted the second goal, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender upending Braga for a spot-kick that Lawrence Shankland converted. Rodgers appeared frustrated; challenges abound for him.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Murray, who struggled throughout, conceded an own goal due to haste when trying to clear a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, skipper McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Solid Backline
The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which flicked off Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the minutes passed. “We stand firm” has become the popular anthem at the ground. It's hard to ignore the excitement.
- Detailed coverage coming soon.
