Hoops Host Hearts at Home

Hoops Host Hearts at Home
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Cameron Carter-Vickers in action against Liam Boyce of Hearts


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 14 September 2024
15.00 BST

The Hoops return to action looking to pick up where they left off before the International break, seeking to continue their perfect start to the Premiership campaign when they host Hearts at Celtic Park, on Saturday afternoon.

The Bhoys have won all four of their opening league matches without conceding a single goal so far. A 3-0 victory against Sevco prior to the break underlined this, and it is this sort of impressive form that they will want to replicate again this weekend.

While this is also the only remaining opportunity for the Bhoys to fine tune ahead of their first match in the new look Champions League format, next week. Before that however, Brendan Rodgers will need to stress the importance of taking it one game at a time and not taking the eye off the ball when the visitors arrive - especially for two significant reasons.

Firstly, Celtic are undefeated against all opposition across all competitions since the loss to Hearts, at the beginning of March.And similiarly, Celtic are undefeated at home against all competition since Hearts secured their first win at Parkhead since 2007, back in December last year.​

Skipper Callum McGregor slams home to make it 3-0 against Sevco before the International break

These two points cannot be forgotten, despite the underwhelming form that the visitors have shown so far this campaign, which has seen them knocked out of the Europa League qualifying, eliminated from the League Cup and still in search of their first win.

In fact, the only Premiership point that they have to their credit was from an opening day 0-0 draw with Sevco, and since then find themselves coming into ths game on the back of 6 consecutive losses (3LG 1LC 2EL), while scoring just twice in that time.

The visitors finiahed third last season by a considerable distance, and recruited reasonably well with what appeared to have a clear direction in mind. However, so far this term Steven Naismith has failed to find a way to make the pieces fall into place in both an attacking and defensive capacity.

Pressure will no doubt be mounting on Naismith in the Tynecastle hotseat, but there must also be a realization that this current malaise is not a true reflection of the quality that the Edinburgh side has at it's disposal.

Indeed, everyone should be aware just how potentially dangerous Hearts can be as opponants, and while the Bhoys sit joint top of the table (along with Aberdeen), there is still a very long way to go. It is only through continued success, one game at a time, that Celtic can ensure that the momentum from the positive start is carried forward into the weeks and months ahead.

By the Numbers​

• The Hoops have won 11 of the past 13 meetings between these sides across all competitions.

• Celtic are undefeated across all competitions since the last time these sides met, back in March - and have won 10 straight league games, including the first 4 of this season.

• A 5th straight clean sheet will represent the Bhoys' best league campaign start without conceding a goal since 1906/07 - when Willie Maley's side went 6 straight matches.

• The Edinburgh outfit have won only once at Parkhead in the league since 2007 (and since 2009 overall) - albeit, that success being in December, last season.

Arne Engels made his debut against Sevco and is in contention to make his first start v Hearts

Team News

For Celtic, there are doubts concerning Alistair Johnston, who felt 'some tightness in his hamstring' while on International duty, meaning Anthony Ralston is likely to deputize for the Canadian fullback, while Maik Nawrocki (calf) is still working his way back to full fitness.

Brendan Rodgers has plenty of choices available to him ahead of this game, and it will be interesting to see how the Bhoys line up on Saturday, as he looks to balance maintaining the team's current form with the need to integrate the new signings, especially with the first match in the new-look Champions League also just around the corner.

As for the visitors, Beni Baningime is fit once again and is expected to be in contention for this weekend, however Calem Nieuwenhof remains sidelined despite having resumed light training after an extensive abscence with a tendon problem, while Kenneth Vargas' status is also unclear after missing Costa Rica's two recent matches; one citing a foot problem and the other listed as being an 'administrative error'.​

Referee: Colin Steven

Steven has taken charge of 46 Premiership games since his debut in 2019, although this will be just the 2nd time officiating Celtic - the only previous time being the 2-0 win against Hamilton Accies, back in January 2021.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:1 W:1 D:0 L:0

VAR: Alan Muir



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 336 W: 182 D: 75 L: 79​

Last 5 Meetings
W L L W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~

All Comps
W W W W W ~ L L L L L

SPFL
W W W W ~ L L L D ​