Hearts have been the good news story this season as the Edinburgh club have become Celtic’s closest challengers.
Derek McInnes’ side are second in the Scottish Premiership table to Celtic on goal difference as both clubs enjoy an unbeaten start to their season.
Just as Aberdeen challenged Celtic for the first half of last season, Hearts are now being questioned on if they can sustain this form to take Brendan Rodgers’ side all the way.
Whilst Tony Bloom’s comments about Hearts challenging Celtic still resonate with his fans, Charlie Mulgrew has delivered a sharp dose of reality to the Tynecastle investor and their manager about taking on Celtic for the title.
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Celtic man Charlie Mulgrew tells Derek McInnes Hearts’ title challenge will ‘fall away’
Celtic don’t face Hearts until the 26th of October but in between now and then, both clubs have three league fixtures to fulfil.
But Mulgrew reckons Hearts’ form will eventually ‘fall away’ as the pressure of keeping up with Celtic mounts.
When Alan Brazil asked Mulgrew if Hearts can sustain the challenge, the former Celtic defender said on talkSPORT, “I don’t think so. Listen, they’ve started well, Del’s [McInnes] a good manager. He’s got them playing.
“I just think they will fall away. The expectation teams like Hearts and Hibs and Aberdeen, it’s not the same as Celtic and Rangers.
“Celtic and Rangers fans demand you win every single week. And I think over time, that kind of prevails, because the intensity in Glasgow and the demands the fans put on you may drag you through and make you get results and push you to that other level.
“I don’t think it’s quite the same at Hearts and Hibs. They can draw a few games and lose a game and it’s accepted. So I don’t think they’ll stay up there.
“And listen, if they prove me wrong and make Scottish football a more exciting product and hopefully there’s teams that can come up and start competing with Celtic and Rangers.
“But I just can’t see it this year. I think Rangers will begin to pick up results now, they got against Hibs, but I think Hearts will have a good season but they won’t split Celtic or Rangers.”
Celtic’s next three Scottish Premiership fixtures compared to Hearts
As previously mentioned, Celtic and Hearts have three fixtures to play before they meet at Tynecastle next month in the capital.
Here is how their fixtures compare.
Celtic’s next three Scottish Premiership fixtures
- Saturday 27th September: Celtic vs Hibernian
- Sunday 5th October: Celtic vs Motherwell
- Sunday 19th October: Dundee vs Celtic
Two home games and a tricky away tie to Dundee await Rodgers Bhoys. And what about Hearts?
Hearts’ next three Scottish Premiership fixtures before facing Celtic
- Saturday 27th September: Hearts vs Falkirk
- Saturday 4th October: Hearts vs Hibernian
- Saturday 18th October: Kilmarnock vs Hearts
Out of the two teams, Hearts undoubtedly have the toughest run-in and fans will see before the Celtic game if McInnes’ side do have the bottle to stay close to the Hoops before the big game at the end of October.
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