Hearts Extend Eight Points Ahead at the Pinnacle After Shankland's Penalty Kick Defeats The Hoops
A historic moment didn't occur at their home ground, as it's far too early for such landmarks. The encounter underlined is that Hearts possess a real credible shot of disrupting Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over the visitors, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
Turning Point in the Latter Period
Three second-half minutes proved decisive, after an opening period that was contested closely. It was remarkable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how stress-free 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 Shankland tucked away. Brendan Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic had actually recovered well from Hearts’ rapid start. Dane Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to deal with a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain McGregor, scoring a Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Stubborn Defence
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Engels shot which touched Magnússon. Craig Halkett thwarted a Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the minutes passed. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It is becoming increasingly difficult the noise.
- Full report coming soon.
