Celtic are sitting five points behind Hearts in the Premiership table.
For the second season running, during the early part of the season, it’s somebody other than Rangers challenging Celtic for the title.
Yes, it’s still early days, but Derek McInnes’ side put out their biggest statement yet when they beat their Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 1-0 on Saturday evening with a stoppage-time winner.
Hearts aren’t going away, and ahead of Celtic’s clash against Motherwell on Sunday afternoon, the champions of Scotland were sent a warning.
‘Massive concern’ for Celtic after Hearts beat Hibernian
One of the biggest areas of concern for Celtic has been their firepower disappearing into thin air this season compared to the last campaign.
From Nicolas Kuhn’s summer exit to Kyogo Furuhashi not being properly replaced, for one reason or another, Brendan Rodgers’ side haven’t scored the goals they would have wanted.
On BBC Radio Scotland, Tom English pointed out that Celtic, albeit having played one game fewer, have netted eight goals this term compared to Hearts’ 16.
This shocked former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson, with English adding that it has been ‘ages, ages and ages’ since Celtic have been ‘outflanked’ in such a manner.
Tom English: “I know Celtic have played one fewer game. Seven games for Hearts, and six games for Celtic.
“But Hearts have scored 16 goals, and Celtic have scored eight. I can’t remember a time when that has happened. I am sure there are, and people will tell me.
“That kind of firepower Hearts have, it must have been ages, ages and ages since they have outflanked Celtic, in that regard.”
Stevenson: “The big thing with that is you can never ever think, even when Celtic aren’t playing well, you think they can go and beat a team. Turn up and beat Motherwell four or five. They have that sort of thing in them.
“Whereas they have just scored eight goals, I didn’t even know that. They have just scored eight goals. That is a massive concern for them as well.”
Breakdown of Hearts and Celtic’s goals
Everyone remembers Aberdeen last season; not only did they fail to mount a proper title challenge, but they also ended up finishing fifth.
But Hearts will claim they are different to the Dons, in regard to Tony Bloom’s investment, having a better manager, no Europe, more firepower and squad depth.
And this is how the Celtic and Hearts’ goals have been flowing in during the early part of the season, bearing in mind the latter have played an extra game.
- Hearts’ games: 7
- Goals at home: 9
- Goals away: 7
- Total goals: 16
- Top scorer: Lawrence Shankland (4 goals)
- Celtic’s games: 6
- Goals at home: 4
- Goals away: 4
- Total goals: 8
- Top scorer: Benjamin Nygren (3 goals)
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