Celtic crashed to their second successive Scottish Premiership defeat on the spin as the champions lost 2-0 to Hearts at Parkhead.

The capital club hit the hosts with a quick first-half one-two which Brendan Rodgers's men failed to recover from.

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland netted his 14th goal of a remarkable season so far when he escaped his markers and thumped home the opener with his head on 14 minutes.

The Tynecastle side then doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark when Stephen Kingsley curled home a superb 25-yard free-kick past Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart as Hearts won for the first time in the league at Parkhead since 2007.

Celtic huffed and puffed and Luis Palma and Kyogo Furuhashi both missed gilt-edged chances to reduce the arrears.

In light of last weekend's league defeat at Rugby Park, Rodgers's side remains five points ahead of rivals Rangers.

Phillipe Clement's side now has two games in hand and if they can win both fixtures then they will replace the men in green and white at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Toxic atmosphere

A lot has been made about the atmosphere at Celtic Park this season, particularly following the indefinite suspension of the Green Brigade. Today, however, there was plenty of noise, but not in a good sense. Already a mixed atmosphere due to the team news and overall league form, things would gradually get worse as Hearts opened the scoring before the entirety of Celtic Park descended into toxicity when Kingsley’s free-kick hit the back of the net.  The team were booed off at halftime, and deservedly so, if we’re being honest. The apathy kicked into play in the second half, as more and more fans left the stadium in disgust. A very concerning atmosphere at Celtic Park brings about more questions than answers. Perhaps the most damning part of the day was when the supporters booed Santa Claus when he made his way onto the pitch, which summed up today’s proceedings as a whole. Very concerning.

Ryan McGinlay

Celtic set-piece vulnerability was brutally exposed once again

Not for the first time this season Rodgers's men were undone by a set-piece as Celtic conceded the opening goal from a corner kick. A bread-and-butter cross into the box led to Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland thumping a cracking header high into the net after just 14 minutes in this one. However the Celtic defending left a lot to be desired as the attacker peeled away from both Alistair Johnston and Liam Scales who both got themselves into a fankle and did not deal with the deep kick to the back post. There is a major vulnerability at set pieces that opposition teams seem to sense in the Celtic ranks right now and that fragility is being woefully exposed by all and sundry. Referee Kevin Clancy also awarded a dubious free-kick some 30 yards from goal but there was no mistaking Stephen Kingsley's curling finish as he hit the dead ball with unerring accuracy to put the visitors 2-0 up. It was reminiscent of the free-kick strike that the former Celtic forward Leigh Griffiths planted past Joe Hart at Hampden Park for Scotland against England back in 2017. Rodgers read the riot act at half-time in Perth against St Johnstone a fortnight ago and he would have been dusting down that same script at the interval in this one but there was no rescue act this time as Celtic slumped to back-to-back league defeats.

Tony Haggerty

Rodgers’ responsibility

No two ways about it, Celtic’s season is teetering into the depths of total collapse, if it hasn’t already done so. From the league form to the domestic cup exit, to yet more European failure, Celtic’s campaign thus far has been littered with failures, negatives and an overall negative feeling. There are plenty of fingers that you can point to following today’s defeat, from the recruitment to the board, but the majority of the blame has to go to Rodgers. Many of these players were flying under Ange Postecouglou, from Callum McGregor to Kyogo Furuhashi, but they find themselves playing within themselves under this manager. Nothing is off the table at this point, as the possibility of a change isn't completely out of the question at this stage. From the lofty heights of a treble last season to the very real possibility of no trophies this season, Celtic find themselves in a very perilous position. Another bad day at the office, perhaps one too many for this manager in all honesty. Something’s got to give this season, for better or worse.

Ryan McGinlay

Time is up for Mikey Johnston in a green and white jersey

The Republic of Ireland winger has had umpteen chances to deliver in a Celtic jersey and has simply failed every time. The 24-year-old has never fulfilled his early career promise. He constantly flatters to deceive and his end product is almost non-existent. He surrendered possession of the ball at will and his influence was easily negated in the first 45 minutes. You wouldn't blame the Celtic supporters for losing patience with the wideman. Johnston's confidence levels may well be at a low ebb but this was a huge chance for him to stake his claim to become a regular in Rodgers's side and he was found wanting again. It was no surprise when he was replaced by Maeda at the break. The clock is also ticking down on Johnston's current deal and with no new contract talks scheduled at the minute it could well be that he could be on his way out of the exit door door come January. Johnston was drinking in the last chance saloon and had reached a crossroads in his Celtic career. Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and it is time for the club and the player to admit that it is never going to happen for Johnston at Celtic Park. Some of the Celtic faithful could have told you that outcome years ago. It was a day when the performance was unacceptable from many of the players and the manager is not exempt from any blame or criticism either.

Tony Haggerty

Celtic's Kyogo conundrum

What is happening to Celtic talisman Kyogo Furuhashi? Despite dominating possession of the football for most of the game the Japanese hitman failed to hit the target. So where does the problem lie? Is it too simple to say that his teammates are not supplying him because he is still making the same runs that he always has?  Is it Kyogo himself who is not suited to Rodgers's system or style of play? Are Celtic's tactics leaving the striker completely isolated? Four touches in the first half against a side that he had previously netted against eight times told its own story. He was guilty of snatching at an early second-half opportunity. It is a huge conundrum that Celtic will have to solve quickly. Bundled out of the League Cup by Kilmarnock in August, out of Europe before Christmas, and an eight-point lead in the title race all but evaporated. Celtic's season is slowly but surely unravelling and there is trouble in Paradise. Not utilising Kyogo as effectively as in the last two seasons is having a huge bearing on how the champions' campaign is panning out so far.

Tony Haggerty