Hearts on red-hot form today ahead of Celtic’s Quadruple Treble attempt

Add as preferred source on Google

What a strange year it’s been. We’ve got a Scottish Cup Final next weekend. Then after that, it’s Christmas.

With any luck we’ll never see anything like 2020 ever again. Celtic might even need fortune against a red-hot Hearts side, who we’ll meet in 19-20’s delayed showpiece event.

Hearts were imperious against Queen of the South in today’s meeting at Tynecastle (BBC). Goals from Steven Naismith, Liam Boyce, Jamie Walker, Elliot Frear and Josh Ginnelly saw off the Dumfries side with ease.

The win keeps Hearts at the top of the Championship with 18 points (WhoScored?).

Liam Boyce and Jamie Walker are on a particularly ruthless streak. Boyce leads the Championship for goals, with 4 in 7, as well as 3 assists (BBC). He’s averaging 0.69 goals per 90 minutes, with Walker trailing at 0.57 goals every match.

Plenty of options for Robbie Neilson

Former MK Dons and Dundee United boss Robbie Neilson has handled expectations at Tynecastle well so far. Hearts were predicted by most to make quick work of the Championship, and the signs so far are good for the Jambos.

With Steven Naismith back in the side, Hearts now have a range of attacking options who could make life difficult for Celtic next week. While the Bhoys should absolutely win this game on paper, it’s harder to do it in practice.

An Odsonne Edouard-led Celtic beat Hearts last time the Scottish Cup was contested, with the Frenchman’s 82nd minute strike securing a famous Treble Treble.

With a Quadruple Treble on the line, a first in modern football, Neil Lennon will need to do his homework on Hearts’ vibrant forward line. The only professional team to come close to four consecutive trebles is Olympique Lyon Féminin (90min), but even the most dominant side in Women’s Football couldn’t quite do it.

If such a historic achievement is truly ‘on’ for Celtic, the Bhoys will have to press aggressively from the first whistle. This Hearts side have goals across the team, from their right-back Michael Smith to the prolific Liam Boyce up front.

Fine; they’re playing in a tier below us. They would be expected to put goals past Queen of the South. Regardless, this is a side on a streak, and they have no intention of stopping their run against Celtic.

It’s a big test for the Bhoys. Tomorrow’s match with Kilmarnock will be the clearest sign of whether Celtic can pass that test and write the club’s name into the history books once more.