The Jambos Move 8 Points Ahead at Top After Shankland's Penalty Sees Off The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at their home ground, since it's far too early for such landmarks. The encounter underlined is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine serious opportunity of breaking Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for the team over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Try to chase them down.
Decisive Period in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase were key, after an opening period that was evenly matched. It was remarkable after they took a 3-1 lead was how comfortable the remainder of the game was for the home side. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, drifting inside before blasting a strike past the stationary the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, the Celtic defender upending Cláudio Braga for a penalty that Shankland slotted home. Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against the opposition.
The Visitors' Fightback
Celtic bounced back from Hearts’ rapid start. The defender, who had a difficult day, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to clear a ball into the box. They gradually fought back into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, scoring a Tierney cutback for level terms.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The keeper Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, parried an Arne Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the favoured chant at Tynecastle. One cannot overlook the buzz.
- Full report will be available.
