GLEE SHALL NOT BE MOVED

Jambos celebrate in style as they show their title credentials with spectacular statement victory

- CRAIG SWAN AT TYNECASTLE

Having seen his Hearts soar through the highest exam in thrilling fashion, the lid blew off tumultuous Tynecastle with a mix of joy and belief.

Joy at the success. Belief that this title challenge is genuine. And it is.

For Celtic, this was another epic fail. And on this seismic Sunday in Gorgie, the title threat to Brendan Rodgers and his stuttering team came across loud with the sound of jubilant Jambos chanting "We shall not be moved".

Claudio Braga has a song to the tune of Queen but it was a Dane Murray own goal, an Alexandros Kyziridis strike and a Lawrence Shankland penalty that had the Hearts fans here believing they can be kings.

It was a statement win. Everyone said this was the day the Jambos had to prove themselves genuine contenders by beating a Celtic side short of consistency and key men.

McInnes' men delivered. They led through Murray's own goal, were pegged back by Callum McGregor and could even have fallen behind at the break had Benjamin Nygren buried a gilt-edged chance.

But, with it all on the line after the restart, their response was emphatic and too much for the faltering champions. Kyziridis came inside to drill a fabulous finish to restore the lead before Shankland slammed home a penalty to put them out of sight.

Tynecastle rocked. With Tony Bloom in the stand having his name sung, this was the day when his vision started to feel possible and real.

Beside him, a Celtic hierarchy who can only dream of having a support behind them. A troubled campaign suffered another brutal blow.

Celts had a chance to stamp some authority as champs. Quell the growing noise from the capital.