Hearts stun Celtic to move eight points clear in Scottish title race

ISLAMABAD: Hearts took a major step towards ending four decades dominance that the Old Firm had after making a 3-1 victory over Celtic, leading the top of the Scottish Premiership with eight points.

A Dane Murray own goal, Alexandros Kyziridis’ superb strike, and a Lawrence Shankland penalty handed the defending champions back-to-back league defeats for the first time in nearly two years.

Rangers, now 16 points behind, face Kilmarnock later on Sunday. Not since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen triumph in 1985 has a team outside Celtic and Rangers lifted the title.

Hearts’ resurgence has been powered by Brighton owner Tony Bloom’s minority investment in June, with his data-driven Jamestown Analytics firm credited for sharp summer signings like Claudio Braga and Kyziridis.

In April this year, the Celtic had clinched their fourth successive Scottish Premiership title in fitting style with a 5-0 demolition of Dundee United, AFP reported.

Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah both scored twice after Ryan Strain’s own-goal set Celtic on course to wrap up their 13th Scottish crown in the last 14 seasons.

With four matches left for Celtic, the champions sit 18 points clear of second-placed Rangers, who have five games remaining.

The Glasgow club have claimed 21 of the last 26 domestic trophies as Brendan Rodgers’ men reign supreme in Scotland.