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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight ahead of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early-season championship claims and deepen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

A superb goal from Kyziridis and a spot-kick from Shankland gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders 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 their home ground, and it was the youngster's infringement that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out Hearts' opener, and Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to save from close range.

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

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in the 2005-2006 season under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - one of just four occasions that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

McInnes, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been at pains to play down title talk, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

The Celtic boss has experienced this previously at Celtic - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's yet to finish second best.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Hearts team showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they faltered under their first real examination.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by Kasper Schmeichel and Shankland's return ball was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

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

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers their key strikers.

Hearts regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, fired a low shot past Schmeichel from the just outside the area.

Immediately after, Murray fouled the midfielder in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an more comprehensive victory, had replacement Ageu not been denied by Schmeichel.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

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

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "You see how hard the players work, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"What we have got, 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 only three points. It's important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of your standing."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We failed to push up when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but didn't. We have got to improve with the attempt.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Clearly, being eight adrift is not ideal. The comfort is there's numerous fixtures to play.

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

What's Next for Both Sides?

Celtic are back at home on midweek against newly-promoted Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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