Next weekend is the huge top of the table clash between Hearts and Celtic.
In terms of season-defining games, they don’t get much bigger than this one.
Hearts are top of the league while Martin O’Neill’s men have six points to make up, half of which can be obtained with three points at Tynecastle.
They already know that Beni Baningime is suspended after being sent off against St Mirren, and that Cammy Devlin is out for six weeks through injury.
Now, the Hoops may be facing a severely-depleted Hearts team.
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Lawrence Shankland could be out of Hearts clash
After crashing out of the Scottish Cup to Falkirk, things got even worse for the Jambos.
During his post-match press conference, Derek McInnes revealed that Shankland’s injury suffered before the penalty shootout wasn’t looking too great, but he will be assessed.
“He doesn’t like coming off. He looks a bit concerned about it but hopefully it settles. He’s normally a good healer,” he told BBC Sportsound.
“We’ve got too many injuries going through the club at the minute. We’ve got an opportunity to maybe react in the transfer market this week.
“Losing wee Cammy Devlin was a blow, Baningime suspended [against Celtic]. It goes without saying that we’re a bit short in that area as well.
“It will be a challenge but we’ll be ready for them.”
Celtic must take advantage of Hearts’ injury problems
To lose one key asset is bad, but to lose three before a big game is a huge concern.
Celtic have been handed a golden opportunity that they must make count if they really want to win the Scottish Premiership.
As well as continuing the momentum by beating Auchinleck Talbot this weekend, and Bologna in the Europa League, keeping everyone fit will be vital.
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O’Neill also hopes for new additions to the squad, and that could also provide the advantage needed to win the game and really ramp up the pressure on the table toppers
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