Hearts Extend Eight Points Ahead at the Pinnacle After Lawrence Shankland's Penalty Sees Off The Glasgow Giants
We did not witness at Tynecastle, with it being far too early for such milestones. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with credible shot of breaking Scottish football's 40-year stranglehold. That advantage stands at eight points for the team over their rivals, whom they decisively beat. Catch them if you can.
Turning Point in the After the Break
A brief but pivotal phase were key, following a tight first half that was fiercely fought. The striking aspect after they took a 3-1 lead was how untroubled the rest of the game was for the home side. Alexandros Kyziridis scored Hearts’ second, moving infield before blasting a strike past the stationary the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray upending the Hearts player for a penalty that Shankland converted. Rodgers appeared frustrated; his problems are mounting.
The crowd erupted after Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against the opposition.
Hoops' Reaction
Celtic had actually recovered well from the hosts' quick opening. The defender, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to remove a ball into the box. The Hoops worked their way into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, turning home a Tierney pass for the equaliser.
Hearts' Defensive Resilience
The shot-stopper Alexander Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Benjamin Nygren in the first half, kept out an Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Craig Halkett blocked a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. They comfortably saw out the game as the minutes passed. “We shall not be moved” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the ground. It is becoming increasingly difficult the excitement.
- Complete analysis coming soon.
