The Jambos Move Eight Points Ahead Ahead at Top After Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at Tynecastle Park, as it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club are at least in with serious opportunity of ending Scottish football's 40-year dominance by two. They now lead by eight points for the maroon side over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Decisive Period in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes made the difference, following a tight first half that was evenly matched. What was so notable after they extended their advantage was how stress-free the remainder of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Kyziridis doubled the lead, drifting inside before firing a powerful effort past the static the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender fouling Braga for a penalty that Lawrence Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against Celtic.
Celtic's Response
The away side responded positively from an early setback. Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, scored an own goal due to haste when trying to remove a Shankland cross. They gradually fought back into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney pull-back for level terms.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had denied from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Tómas Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the minutes passed. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. One cannot overlook the buzz.
- Complete analysis to follow.
