🔗 Share this article Hearts Move Eight Points Ahead at the Pinnacle Following Shankland's Penalty Defeats The Glasgow Giants We did not witness at Tynecastle, as it's far too early for such achievements. What this match did emphasise is that Heart of Midlothian are at least in with strong chance of disrupting Scottish football's 40-year title duopoly. They now lead by eight points for the team over Celtic, whom they comfortably swatted aside. Try to chase them down. Turning Point in the Second Half A crucial three-minute spell made the difference, once the initial exchanges that was contested closely. What was so notable after Hearts surged 3-1 in front was how comfortable the rest of the game was for the hosts. The Greek winger scored Hearts’ second, moving infield before thumping a right-footed shot past the motionless the Celtic keeper. Delight increased in the stands, Murray bringing down the Hearts player for a spot-kick that Shankland slotted home. Brendan Rodgers cut such a disconsolate figure; challenges abound for him. Fans start to rejoice after Alexandros Kyziridis (second right) scores to make it 2-1 against the opposition. Celtic's Response Celtic had actually recovered well from Hearts’ rapid start. Dane Murray, who had a difficult day, turned the ball into his own net due to confusion when trying to deal with a ball into the box. Celtic edged their way back into the game, skipper Callum McGregor, turning home a Tierney cutback for the equaliser. Hearts' Defensive Resilience The shot-stopper Schwolow, who had saved superbly from Nygren in the first half, blocked an Engels shot which deflected off Tómas Magnússon. Halkett stopped a Yamada attempt in the dying moments. Hearts were otherwise untroubled as the game concluded. “We stand firm” has become the Tynecastle verse of choice at the stadium. It is becoming increasingly difficult the excitement. Full report coming soon.