Match Preview: Celtic (A)

Form:

Both sides head into the match on the back of victories with Hearts defeating St Johnstone 3-0 at Tynecastle before Celtic came from behind to record an emphatic 5-1 victory over St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday.

You need to go back to September to find Celtic’s last domestic defeat, a surprising 2-0 defeat in Paisley,which was somewhat avenged on Sunday. A 2-2 draw at Ibrox in January is the Hoops’ only other blemish on their domestic report card, however, few sides have run the champions closer than Hearts did in that pulsating seven-goal thriller at Tynecastle in October.

Celtic were 4-3 victors that day in a game that ebbed and flowed, however, the Jambos can certainly take confidence from that match ahead of their trip to Parkhead.

Ones to watch:

This is a Celtic side littered with talent, but Kyogo Furuhashi is a clear danger with 19 goals in the league so far this season. The forward is all about movement and the key for Hearts will be cutting off the supply line from the likes of Reo Hatate and Jota.

A midfield three of Callum McGregor, Aaron Mooy, and the aforementioned Hatate will provide plenty for Hearts to be wary of and manager Ange Postecoglou is blessed with numerous options off the bench to freshen things up if he wishes to do so.

Team news:

Stephen Humphrys is set to miss out after picking up an injury in the recent match against Motherwell, however, Hearts have no other fresh injury concerns.

Robbie’s thoughts:

“It’s going to be a different challenge for us. Parkhead is always a difficult place to go. I think with the belief we have in the group just now we can take confidence into that game.”