The Tynecastle side Push Eight Points Ahead at the Summit After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Defeats The Hoops
History wasn't made at Tynecastle Park, since it's far too early for such landmarks. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian possess a real serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's long-standing title duopoly. That advantage stands at eight points for the team over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
Decisive Period in the Second Half
Three second-half minutes were key, once the initial exchanges that was contested closely. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the hosts. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, drifting inside before blasting a strike past the motionless Kasper Schmeichel. More joy followed in the stands, Dane Murray upending Braga for a foul that the captain converted. Rodgers looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
The away side responded positively from an early setback. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to haste when trying to remove a ball into the box. The Hoops worked their way into the game, the captain McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, kept out an Arne Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Shin 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. One cannot overlook the excitement.
- Detailed coverage coming soon.
