Celtic face Hearts this afternoon in a crucial Cinch Premiership clash at Tynecastle. Following the midweek win at Fir Park to secure a place at Hampden in the League Cup semi-final, Celtic return to league duty facing Robbie Neilson’s Hearts.
Team News
Ange Postecoglou has the same squad as he did on Wednesday. Jota, David Turnbull, Carl Starfelt, Stephen Welsh and Callum McGregor all remain out with injuries. The manager did say that Turnbull and Jota were close to returning but that they weren’t fit for the trip to Tynecastle.
In goals, Joe Hart will return after his deputy Benjamin Siegrist had the gloves against Motherwell. In defence, you’d expect Cameron Carter-Vickers to join Moritz Jenz in the central pairing. Given that it is a game against tough opposition, you would expect the manager to name his strongest full-backs – Greg Taylor at left-back and Josip Juranovic at right-back.
In midfield, Matt O’Riley will start at the base of the Celtic midfield, you would expect Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy to continue.
In attack, Sead Haksabanovic will likely play on the left, Kyogo through the middle with James Forrest likely playing at right wing. It is a tough one to pick between Forrest and Liel Abada with both enjoying goals in the last week. However, the hat-trick from the senior pro might tip the scales for Forrest to play.
Predicted XI: Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers (C), Moritz Jenz, Greg Taylor; O’Riley, Mooy, Hatate; Haksabanovic, Kyogo, Forrest.
📍 𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒙𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒏
The Bhoys are fully focused during training ahead of a return to #cinchPrem action against Hearts 👊#HEACEL | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/aT5lCXQcPf
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 21, 2022
Kick-Off Time
The game will kick off at 12:30 pm (Celtic Park time).
Where to Watch
The game will be shown on Sky Sports Football with coverage beginning at 12 pm. Celtic TV subscribers outside Britain and Ireland will be able to watch the game on the Club’s streaming service. Sadly, due to Hearts’ decision to cut Celtic’s allocation, thousands of supporters will be left having to watch the game on TV despite the likely empty seats that we will see in the home end.
