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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to bolster their early-season championship claims and deepen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the reigning champions could not overcome.

Dane Murray - one of three youngsters in the Celtic starting lineup - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

But the unstoppable Hearts side seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since 2023.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The previous occasion they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

The Celtic boss has seen it all before at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for the striker to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers.

The away side found their rhythm and started stringing passes together. From one such move, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the edge of the box.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and the penalty taker converted. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in stark contrast to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then yellow-carded for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not sufficient on its own to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're seeing that from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's just one win. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, loads to do. Following the initial fixtures is normally an indication of your standing."

The Celtic boss: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a line so when they pass the ball, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to improve with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not ideal. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the here and now and look to find more consistency and more quality in our play."

What's Next for These Teams?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, the Edinburgh outfit are at St Mirren.

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