The Tynecastle side Push 8 Points Clear at Top After Lawrence Shankland's Spot-Kick Defeats The Glasgow Giants
A historic moment didn't occur at Tynecastle, since it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian have a genuine serious opportunity of disrupting Scottish football's 40-year title duopoly. Make that an eight-point lead for the maroon side over Celtic, whom they easily dispatched. Catch them if you can.
Decisive Period in the Second Half
A crucial three-minute spell were key, after an opening period that was fiercely fought. What was so notable after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the closing stages of the game was for the hosts. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before blasting a strike past the motionless the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray bringing down the Hearts player for a penalty that Shankland tucked away. The Celtic manager looked dejected; he hardly has his troubles to seek.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) puts Hearts 2-1 up against Celtic.
The Visitors' Fightback
The away side responded positively from an early setback. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to deal with a delivery from Shankland. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, scoring a Kieran Tierney cutback for level terms.
Solid Backline
The Hearts goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, blocked an Arne Engels shot which flicked off Magnússon. Craig Halkett stopped a Yamada attempt in stoppage time. They comfortably saw out the game as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the popular anthem at the stadium. It is becoming increasingly difficult the buzz.
- Complete analysis to follow.
