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Rampant Hearts powered eight ahead of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to strengthen their early championship claims and worsen the struggles around Brendan Rodgers' side.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders 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 energetic 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 swiftly equalized Hearts' opener, and the Swedish attacker almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to make a crucial stop.

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

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the top of the table.

The last time they were this far ahead was in 2005-06 under their former manager, when they ended as runners-up - a rare instance that a team has failed to win the title after building such an advantage in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on multiple times, has been at pains to downplay championship discussions, as the club seek their first top-flight crown since 1960.

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

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

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Depleted The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis delivered a ball for Shankland to fire off target.

The Glasgow team didn't aid their cause with some unusual sloppiness in possession and they buckled under their initial test.

Claudio Braga's header was tipped onto the woodwork by the Celtic keeper and Shankland's return ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From a flowing attack, the midfielder released Tierney to square for the captain, who slotted home.

Apart from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for striker Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of injured forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. The Greek forward, one of the finds of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot 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 even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been stopped by the shot-stopper.

Celtic's second half was somewhat summed up in a couple of moments involving big-money recruit Engles.

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

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the team spirit. That's not sufficient on its own to win games week in, week out.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from a lot of players who have been here previously. Recent additions are eager to show that.

"We've got a good thing going at the minute, but it's just one win. It's crucial for us to maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of where you are."

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "The second goal was disappointing from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a defensive unit so when they play it, they should have players offside but didn't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Clearly, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The positive is there's so many games to play.

"We now have to focus on the present and look to achieve greater stability and more quality in our play."

What's Next for Both Sides?

The Glasgow club are back at home on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (19:45 GMT). At the same time in the Scottish Premiership, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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