It seems that from all the chat in the media, that Hearts are set to cause a shock and beat Celtic at Tynecastle this afternoon.
Derek McInnes’ side are on a great run of form as early results suggest that Hearts could be about to challenge Celtic for this season’s Scottish Premiership title.
Both teams are set to face off at Tynecastle this afternoon with some wild Celtic predictions suggesting Brendan Rodgers could lose today’s game against Hearts by a big margin.
However, Celtic are seasoned campaigners and are well equipped to deal with the pressure of a title race and despite the Bhoys’ injury problems, former Scotland striker Kevin Gallacher has told Derek McInnes what he and his Hearts team may have to settle for with a prediction on today’s big game.
Kevin Gallacher tells Hearts a draw would be a ‘decent result’ vs Celtic
Many people are expecting to see a Hearts win against Celtic at Tynecastle this afternoon. Even the Gorgie support are getting a wee bit carried away on social media.
However, Gallacher reckons that confidence is misplaced and has warned Hearts that Celtic will be looking to avenge the defeat to Dundee with a win at Tynecastle today.
Gallacher wrote in The Sunday Post, “All the teams in the league are entitled to go into games thinking this is a great time to be playing against Glasgow’s big two.
“The opposite is true of Hearts, who are on a terrific run right now. They are firing on all cylinders and fans are entitled to believe they have a great chance against Celtic.
“A win would stretch their lead at the top of the table to eight points. Win again next weekend while Celtic and Rangers are meeting in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, and it would be 11.
“However, I suspect they may have to settle for a draw, not least because their visitors must make some sort of response after the defeat at Dens Park.
“It would be a decent result as it would both extend their unbeaten league record and preserve their five-point lead over the defending champions.”
Celtic’s last five results vs Hearts
Whilst the confidence coming out of Edinburgh is admirable and understandable, it could be found to be a little bit too cocky given the last five results Celtic have had against Hearts:
- 29/03/2025: Celtic 3 v 0 Hearts
- 23/11/2024: Hearts 1 v 4 Celtic
- 14/09/2024: Celtic 2 v 0 Hearts
- 04/05/2024: Celtic 3 v 0 Hearts
- 03/03/2024: Hearts 2 v 0 Celtic
With only one defeat in the last five and the other four wins being very comfortable for Celtic, Hearts will still be in for a tough afternoon against the reigning Scottish champions.
Since 1997, Celtic’s win ratio over Hearts is over 73% so the Bhoys do have an excellent record over the title pretenders.
And whilst no one at Celtic will deny Hearts can win today’s game, the overconfidence coming out of Gorgie could well be a tad premature.
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