The Jambos Extend Eight Points Clear Ahead at the Pinnacle After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Sees Off The Glasgow Giants
A historic moment didn't occur at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such milestones. This game highlighted is that Hearts possess a real serious opportunity of disrupting Scottish football's long-standing dominance by two. Make that an eight-point lead for Hearts over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Key Moments in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes were key, following a tight first half that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the static the Celtic keeper. More joy followed in the stands, the Celtic defender bringing down Braga for a penalty that Shankland tucked away. The Celtic manager looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against the opposition.
Celtic's Response
The away side responded positively from Hearts’ rapid start. Murray, who struggled throughout, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to deal with a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pass for the equaliser.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. The hosts faced little else as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
- Full report to follow.
