The Tynecastle side Push Eight Points Clear Ahead at the Summit After Shankland's Penalty Sees Off The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at Tynecastle, as it's far too early for such milestones. This game highlighted is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine strong chance of breaking Scottish football's four decade-long title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for Hearts over the visitors, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the Second Half
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, once the initial exchanges that was evenly matched. What was so notable after they extended their advantage was how comfortable the closing stages of the game was for the Tynecastle team. Alexandros Kyziridis doubled the lead, moving infield before blasting a strike past the static the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray fouling the Hearts player for a foul that the captain slotted home. The Celtic manager looked dejected; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
Supporters began celebrating after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Dane Murray, who had a difficult day, conceded an own goal due to panic when trying to deal with a delivery from Shankland. They gradually fought back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, scoring a Tierney cutback for the equaliser.
Solid Backline
The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. The hosts faced little else as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. One cannot overlook the noise.
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