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Rampant Hearts surged eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish top flight to strengthen their early-season championship claims and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a two-goal advantage 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 Hearts ahead at a energetic Tynecastle, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

A stylish finish from McGregor of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, choosing placement over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But the unstoppable Hearts side regained dominance to consign the visitors to successive league defeats for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a commanding advantage at the summit.

The previous occasion they were this far ahead was in the 2005-2006 season under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title after building such an advantage in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose Aberdeen side were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down championship discussions, as the club seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

Rodgers has seen it all before at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on the weekend's performance, this Hearts team showed they need to be taken seriously.

Match Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Depleted Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for the striker to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't help themselves with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was touched on to a post by Kasper Schmeichel and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic grew into the contest and started stringing passes together. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to square for McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, the visitors struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the unavailability of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in attacking from across the final third. The Greek forward, 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, the defender fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel and the penalty taker scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the Belgium international was then booked for a cynical foul.

Post-Match Comments

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. Some of the new signings are keen to demonstrate their quality.

"We're in a positive moment at the minute, but it's only three points. It's crucial for us to keep winning. We've got loads to do, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

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

"There's still so many points 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.

"Our attention must turn on the here and now and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the identical hour in the Scottish Premiership, the Edinburgh outfit are at their opponents' ground.

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