Derek McInnes insists Hearts are a team that have the confidence within to get results away from home but believes there’s no tougher test in Scotland than Sunday’s trip to Celtic Park.
The Jambos head to Glasgow for a 3pm kick-off, live on Sky Sports and will be looking to repeat the 3-1 victory over the Hoops in October.
Speaking to Hearts TV, he said:
“There's no tougher test. I think when we played Celtic a few weeks back here at Tynecastle, we had to play really well to win the game. I thought we were magnificent on the day, but going to Celtic Park at times can be a bit more daunting, a bit more tough.
“But it's still the same game, we still want to go and try and make sure we compete. And hopefully, as I say, we can come out on the other end and have a positive result. We feel we're not losing too many goals at the minute.
“We're a team who, I think, have the confidence home and away to go and try and get results. But there's no doubt, as I said to you before the last game we played Celtic, Celtic are a team, particularly Celtic Park, they ask questions of you and test your organisation. So we'll need to be really strong on Sunday to get the desired outcome.”
It was disappointment midweek as Bruce Anderson’s late equaliser saw the Jambos have to settle for a point and while acknowledging the group could do with a lift, McInnes believes come Sunday, the juices will be flowing for the top of the table clash.
“I think we could all do a wee bit of a lift. But, at the end of the day, this is the job we're in. Nobody's going to give you a lift for you. You've got to do it.
“Football, a lot of it is mental, and you've got to make sure you win those wee battles. But by the time the game comes round on Sunday, the juices will be flowing and we're ready to go and take part and get us a proper result. And hopefully, with a big performance, we can do that.”
There is a new manager in the Celtic dugout, following the appointment of Wilfried Nancy, but McInnes insists the focus and concentration is on the Jambos.
“We've done this before, when you play against teams with a new manager. He's got a set system in place that he likes to play, which is different to the Celtic system that they've been playing for a while now. So, whether he changes that in a short space of time, who knows? But we'll try and pick a team to deal with every eventuality. And we obviously, we always look at the opposition, but we've got to try and concentrate on our own work.”
