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The dominant Edinburgh side powered eight ahead of Celtic at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early-season title credentials and worsen the malaise around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not overcome.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic starting lineup - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a bouncing Tynecastle, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the penalty.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had quickly cancelled out 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 seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the initial occasion since last year.

It also gives the Edinburgh side a significant lead at the top of the table.

The last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 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 runners-up to the champions on four occasions, has been working hard to play down title talk, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since the 1960s.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both flawless and stuttering starts to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

But on Sunday's evidence, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Match Analysis: Hearts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

Hearts started with the self-assurance of a side undefeated 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 uncharacteristic carelessness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and the follow-up from Shankland was turned into the net by the hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side grew into the contest and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released the full-back to set up McGregor, who rolled in.

Aside from the opportunity for Nygren, Celtic found it hard to generate chances for striker Kenny or his replacement Shin Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards their key strikers.

Hearts rediscovered their energy and versatility 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, struck low past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

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

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

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in sharp opposition to his European display in the continental victory over their Austrian opponents and the Belgium international was then booked for a professional foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. 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. 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 much work ahead, plenty to improve. Following the initial fixtures 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 defensive unit so when they pass the ball, 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 still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, 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 better performance in our play."

Upcoming Fixtures for These Teams?

The Glasgow club are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at St Mirren.

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