We did not witness at their home ground, since it's far too early for such landmarks. What this match did emphasise is that the Edinburgh club have a genuine serious opportunity of ending Scottish football's long-standing stranglehold. Make that an eight-point lead for Hearts over their rivals, whom they easily dispatched. The challenge is now for others.
A brief but pivotal phase made the difference, following a tight first half that was evenly matched. What was so notable after they extended their advantage was how stress-free the closing stages of the game was for the hosts. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, cutting in from the left before firing a powerful effort past the stationary the goalkeeper. Delight increased in the stands, Dane Murray bringing down Braga for a penalty that the captain tucked away. Rodgers looked dejected; his problems are mounting.
Supporters began celebrating after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) gives Hearts the lead against Celtic.
Celtic bounced back from an early setback. Murray, who endured a torrid afternoon, turned the ball into his own net due to panic when trying to deal with a Shankland cross. Celtic edged their way back into the game, the captain Callum McGregor, finishing a Tierney cutback for 1-1.
The Hearts goalkeeper Schwolow, who had made a brilliant stop from Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which flicked off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett thwarted a Shin Yamada attempt in added time. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the clock ticked down. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at Tynecastle. It's hard to ignore the noise.
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