Hearts Move 8 Points Clear Clear at Top After Shankland's Spot-Kick Overcomes Celtic
We did not witness at their home ground, as it's far too early for such achievements. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine strong chance of ending Scottish football's long-standing stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. Try to chase them down.
Decisive Period in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase proved decisive, after an opening period that was evenly matched. What was so notable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how untroubled the remainder of the game was for the Tynecastle team. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the motionless the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling the Hearts player for a spot-kick that the captain slotted home. The Celtic manager looked dejected; challenges abound for him.
Fans start to rejoice after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. Dane Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, conceded an own goal due to confusion when trying to remove a delivery from Shankland. They gradually fought back into the game, skipper McGregor, finishing a Tierney cutback for 1-1.
Stubborn Defence
The keeper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett blocked a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the clock ticked down. “We remain resolute” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. It's hard to ignore the buzz.
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