Hearts Extend Eight Points in Front at the Pinnacle Following Shankland's Spot-Kick Sees Off The Glasgow Giants

We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such landmarks. 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. That advantage stands at eight points 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 were key, after an opening period that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how comfortable the remainder 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 the Celtic keeper. Soon there was further euphoria in the stands, Dane Murray upending Cláudio Braga for a penalty that Shankland tucked away. Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.

Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.

The Visitors' Fightback

The away side responded positively from an early setback. Murray, who had a difficult day, conceded an own goal due to confusion when trying to clear a delivery from Shankland. They gradually fought back into the game, leader Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pull-back for the equaliser.

Solid Backline

The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had denied from Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which flicked off Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the game concluded. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. It's hard to ignore the excitement.

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