Home Bhoys to Break Hearts

Home Bhoys to Break Hearts
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Kyogo has scored in 8 straight appearances v Hearts - including the 4-1 win at Tynecastle in October

Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 16 December 2023
15.00 GMT

The Hoops will be looking to get their Premiership campaign back on track, in what is shaping up as perhaps the most crucial part of the season, when they host 6th placed Hearts on Saturday.

The Bhoys finally rid themselves of an unwanted historical millstone in midweek; the 2-1 victory against Feyenoord marked the first Champions League win since 2017 and the first at home since 2013. Despite the result baring no weight on Celtic's European ambitions for this season, no doubt Brendan Rodgers' side will be looking to capitalize on the confidence taken from that and channel it into the quest to retain their League crown.​

It was a timrly result also, after the insipid second half display last weekend at Rugby Park, where Celtic threw away a 1-0 lead at the break before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock - the second such loss this season. It was an outcome that left the Celts' lead at the top of the table at 5 points over Sevco - albeit having played a game more than their Glasgow rivals.

As such, every single game between now and the derby at the end of the month is of critical importance and Celtic simply cannot allow for any more slip ups at this stage.​

Luis Palma scored his 7th gpal of the season (and 2nd in the Champions League) in midweek

The Hoops will be taking on a Hearts side that continue to be on something of a roller-coaster this season. Last time these sides met back in October, the Bhoys left Tynecastle with a 4-1 win.

Shortly afterwards however, Steven Naismith's side would find a run of form with four consecutive league wins over Livingston, Motherwell, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock. It was a sequence which saw the Capital club climb to 3rd. But another dip was just around the corner, and defeat in the last two games leading into this one has seen them be overtaken by a number of sides.

While both sides have demonstrated such inconsistent form recently, Celtic will be hoping that they can build on the momentum on the back of the Champions League win over Feyenoord, and use that to help secure the points this weekend.

By the Numbers​

• The Bhoys have won each of the past 10 meetings between these sides, across all competitions (8 Lg, 1 LC, 1 SC) and won every encounter at home since 2015.

• Celtic are currently 52 league games undefeated at Parkhead against Scottish opposition since January 2021.

• Celtic have kept just 3 clean sheets in the past 16 games in all competitions - and zero in the past 6. In fact, both sides have the same number of clean sheets (7).

• Games involving Hearts have an average of 1.88 (for and against combined) goals per game - which is the lowest average in the entire League.

Unlikely Hero: Gustav Lagerbielke nods home his injury time winner against Feyenoord

Team News

Brendan Rodgers has been quoted as being 'hopeful' that Daizen Maeda could be available but it is uncertain if he will be ready at this stage. Elsewhere Liel Abada and Reo Hatate have also recently been spotted with the squad at Lennoxtown as they work towards a return but neither are expected to be available, while Tomoki Iwata, who was forced off early in the first half against Feyenoord, is expected to miss the game and doubts persist over Cameron Carter-Vickers' fitness also.

As for the visitors from Edinburgh, they have been boosted in recent weeks by the return for a quartet of players who had been long term sidelined. Nathaniel Atkinson, Craig Halkett, Barrie McKay and Craig Gordon have all resumed their places in the squad.

However, Cammy Devlin (ankle), Liam Boyce 9hamstring) remain out, as does Odel Offiah, with the defender having recently returned to his parent club, Brighton, for treatment, while Calem Nienwenhof is also rated as doubtful.

Referee: Kevin Clancy

This will be only the second time this season that Clancy has taken charge of a game involving the Hoops - the first being the 3-1 win against Aberdeen, back in August.

Celtic's Overall Record
M: 53 W: 39 D: 8 L: 6

VAR: Gavin Duncan



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 333 W: 181 D: 75 L: 77​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W W W

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

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

SPFL
L W W D W ~ L L W W W ​