Table-toppers Hearts widened the gap at the top of the Scottish Championship to eight points with a 3-1 victory over second-place Celtic. 

The league leaders struck inside just eight minutes as a Claudio Braga header forced an acrobatic save from Kasper Schmeichel, who clawed it against the post, but the subsequent rebounded effort from Lawrence Shankland wreaked havoc as Dane Murray's turned into his own net. 

The reigning champions swiftly retorted, restoring parity in the 12th minute through captain Callum McGregor, who linked up neatly with Kieran Tierney, before rolling a guided left-footed finish into the back of the net.

Yet Hearts started the second half brilliantly, as Alexandros Kyziridis cut in from the left, drilling it past Schmeichel to put the hosts back in front. 

Defender Murray's display went from bad to worse when he gave away a penalty in the 54th minute after he hacked Braga down inside the box, with Shankland slotting coolly past Celtic's goalkeeper to create breathing room at Tynecastle. 

While Brendan Rodgers' side probed late on, Hearts held firm, seeing out a potentially season-defining victory and ensuring their unbeaten start to the season continued. 

Data Debrief: Shankland shines as Hearts break Celtic duck

Hearts captain Shankland has netted five times in the Premiership this season — the joint-highest tally in Scotland’s top tier, along with Braga. The striker also led the way with 10 touches inside the opposition box and reclaimed possession six times, more than any of his Hearts teammates. 

This is Hearts' first Premiership victory over Celtic since March 2024, ending a four-match winless streak against the champions. They have also found the net in every one of their nine league fixtures this season — the only team in the Premiership to do so.

After their 2-0 defeat at Dundee last weekend, this was Celtic's second consecutive league loss.

It marks their first back-to-back defeats in the Scottish top flight since December 2023 – when the second was against Hearts (0-2). Away from home, the Bhoys also suffered consecutive league defeats for the first time since May 2023.