Celtic’s highly anticipated clash with Hearts is nearing kick-off as Chris Sutton states who starts as ‘favourites’ for the Tynecastle clash.
Speaking just over an hour before the big game kicks off, Sutton reels off all of Celtic’s injury issues as he explains why he believes Hearts will be the favourites to win the top-of-the-table clash in the capital.
Celtic will be without at least four key players this afternoon while Hearts are at full strength, and while the Bhoys boast an impressive record over Hearts, the game in Edinburgh will be a tough test for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
And speaking on Sky Sports, Sutton has shared why he believes it’s Derek McInnes’ team who go into the clash with Celtic as favourites.
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Sutton: Celtic’s ‘injuries’ make Hearts favourites for Tynecastle tie
Celtic could be without up to six first-team players for the tie against Hearts and Sutton believes that is one of the reasons, on top of the Tynecastle club’s good form, that McInnes goes into today’s game as the favourites to win.
Sutton told Sky Sports, “Well, Hearts clearly start as favourites. They’ve been superb this season under Derek McInnes.
“They’re five points clear at the top. Beat Celtic today and it will go to eight points. And I think anybody analysing both teams looks at the way Hearts set up, they have flair in forward areas.
“There’s goals in the team. They’re strong defensively. Celtic haven’t been too bad defensively, but it’s been in those forward areas where Celtic had been really lacking.
“So it’s Celtic who go into this one under pressure. Injuries to key players, Cameron Carter-Vickers, he’s out for five months.
“Alistair Johnson, who’s been such a brilliant player for Celtic, looks like he’s going to be out for a while now.
“Iheanacho, the centre forward they did get in over the window, we don’t know how long he’s going to be out. So Celtic are depleted, and they’ve got it all to do.”
Chris Sutton shares what ‘the issue’ is with Celtic ahead of Hearts tie
Celtic have their own problems other than injuries to deal with ahead of the Hearts game and Sutton outlines one of the biggest issues that the Hoops ‘struggle’ with.
Sutton continued, “Celtic have struggled in the final third this season. That was the issue in Europe. That’s been the issue domestically.
“I think there’s half the team in the Scottish Premiership who scored more than Celtic. Falkirk, who came up last season, have scored more goals than Celtic. That’s the issue, and Hearts have just gone about their business.
“I wouldn’t say quietly, I think that, with the manager, they have Derek McInnes, he knows the Scottish league inside out, and is a really wily character. Be interesting how they set up today.”
Celtic fired back in emphatic style against Sturm Graz on Thursday night and fans will be hoping that the Europa League result and performance will be a springboard to the season.
They will find out in just over an hour’s time how Celtic will fare when both teams kick-off in Gorgie.
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