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The dominant Edinburgh side surged eight points clear of their Glasgow rivals at the top of the Scottish top flight to bolster their early title credentials and deepen the malaise around the Celtic team.

Alexandros Kyziridis' fine strike and Lawrence Shankland's penalty gave Derek McInnes' side a two-goal advantage that the reigning champions could not recover from.

Dane Murray - among three youth players in the Celtic XI - slashed into his own net in the early stages to put the home side ahead at a bouncing their home ground, 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 Benjamin Nygren almost put Celtic in front, opting for finesse over power and allowing the Hearts keeper to save from close range.

But Derek McInnes' irrepressible Hearts regained dominance to consign the visitors to successive league defeats for the first time since last year.

It also gives the Hearts a significant lead 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 not secured the title having held such a lead in the past 27 years.

McInnes, whose Aberdeen side were second to Celtic on four occasions, has been at pains to downplay title talk, as Hearts seek their first top-flight crown since the 1960s.

Rodgers has experienced this previously at the club - both perfect and shaky beginnings to a season. He's never ended as runner-up.

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

Analysis: The hosts Take Advantage of Weakened Celtic

The Edinburgh side started with the self-assurance of a side unbeaten in the league this season - fans' favourite Kyziridis poked a cross in for Shankland to stab wide.

Celtic didn't aid their cause with some uncharacteristic carelessness 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 hapless defender, in for the absent center-back.

The away side found their rhythm and started building moves. From one such move, Sebastian Tounekti released Tierney to square for McGregor, who slotted home.

Aside from the Nygren chance, the visitors found it hard to generate chances 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 versatility in attacking from across the final third. Kyziridis, a standout performer of the club's scouting network, fired a low shot past the goalkeeper from the just outside the area.

Almost straight away, the defender tripped the midfielder in the right side of the box and Shankland scored. And it could've been an even more handsome win, had replacement Ageu not been denied by the shot-stopper.

The visitors' performance after the break was somewhat summed up in two incidents involving big-money recruit Engles.

The set-piece from Engles delivery was in stark contrast to his European display in the Europa League win over Sturm Graz and the national team player was then booked for a cynical foul.

What They Said

The Hearts manager: "The effort from the squad is evident, the togetherness. That's not always enough to win games week in, week out.

"What we have got, is skillful players. You're seeing that from multiple individuals who have been here previously. 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 important for us to maintain this form. We've got loads to do, plenty to improve. After the first two rounds is typically a benchmark of your standing."

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

"Plenty of matches to play for. It's still so early. It's just nine matches. Obviously, being eight adrift is not what we would want. The comfort 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?

Celtic are returning to their stadium on Wednesday against promoted side Falkirk (evening kick-off). At the identical hour in the top division, Hearts are at their opponents' ground.

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