Hearts Extend 8 Points Ahead Clear at the Pinnacle Following Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes The Glasgow Giants
History wasn't made at their home ground, since it's far too early for such milestones. The encounter underlined is that Hearts are at least in with serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's 40-year title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Decisive Period in the Latter Period
A brief but pivotal phase proved decisive, once the initial exchanges that was fiercely fought. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the closing stages of the game was for the home side. Kyziridis netted the second goal, drifting inside before thumping a right-footed shot past the stationary the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender bringing down Cláudio Braga for a foul that Shankland converted. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; challenges abound for him.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic had actually recovered well from an early setback. Murray, who struggled throughout, scored an own goal due to haste when trying to deal with a ball into the box. They gradually fought back into the game, the captain McGregor, turning home a Kieran Tierney cutback for level terms.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We shall not be moved” has become the popular anthem at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
- Detailed coverage coming soon.
