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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 title credentials and worsen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave the Hearts team a 3-1 lead that the title holders could not overcome.

The young defender - one of three youngsters in the Celtic XI - scored an own goal early on to put the home side ahead at a energetic their home ground, and it was the 22-year-old's foul that led to the spot-kick.

Callum McGregor's classy first goal of the season had swiftly equalized the first goal, and the Swedish attacker almost put Rodgers' team in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing Alexander Schwolow to make a crucial stop.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts seized control again to hand Celtic to back-to-back losses for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a commanding advantage at the summit.

The last time they were so far clear was in 2005-06 under George Burley, when they ultimately finished second - a rare instance that a team has not secured the title having held such a lead in the last three decades.

The Hearts coach, whose former team were runners-up to the champions on multiple times, has been working hard to play down championship discussions, as Hearts seek their maiden league title since 1960.

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

But on the weekend's performance, this Edinburgh outfit showed they deserve serious consideration.

Analysis: Hearts Capitalize of Weakened The Visitors

Hearts started with the confidence of a side unbeaten in the league this season - the popular attacker poked a cross in for the striker to stab wide.

Celtic didn't help themselves 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 the follow-up from Shankland was diverted goalwards by the unfortunate Murray, in for the absent center-back.

Celtic found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to set up the captain, who slotted home.

Aside from the Nygren chance, Celtic struggled to create much for lone frontman Jonny Kenny or his substitute Yamada amid the absence of stricken attackers Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda.

The home team regained their intensity and adaptability in creating chances in the opposition half. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's relationship with shareholder Tony Bloom's Jamestown Analytics, struck low past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, Murray tripped Braga in the inside right channel and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had substitute Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was partially encapsulated in two incidents involving record signing Arne Engles.

The midfielder's wayward free-kick delivery was in sharp opposition to his midweek exploits in the continental victory over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a professional foul.

What They Said

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games consistently.

"Our strength lies in, is skillful players. You're witnessing it from multiple individuals who have been here before. 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 maintain this form. We've got much work ahead, loads to do. After the first two rounds is normally an indication of where you are."

The Celtic boss: "It's a really poor goal from our perspective. We didn't move when the play was recycled as a line so when they play it, they ought to be caught offside but weren't. We have got to do better with the shot.

"There's still so many points to play for. It's only the beginning. It's only nine games in. Obviously, 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 find more consistency 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 (evening kick-off). At the same time in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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