Hearts boss Robbie Neilson is looking forward to facing the test of Celtic’s visit to Tynecastle on Saturday afternoon but has admitted being impressed by the Bhoys against Motherwell last night.
Ange Postecoglou’s team were in rampant form, following up the 6-1 win over Hibernian on Saturday with a 4-0 cup thrashing at Fir Park. Liel Abada, Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate were all on the scoresheet as the bulk of the Bhoys attacking talent again finds their shooting boots.
Neilson is hoping he can see the best of his Hearts team, despite some poor form, to challenge the champions on their own turf.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “It’s a huge game for us, it’s one we’re looking forward to. We watched them last night against Motherwell and they were outstanding at times. We know there’s real quality, not just within the first eleven, but the whole group. But we’re at Tynecastle, full house, we’ve had periods this season when we’ve played really well and we believe we can bring that to the game and have a really good chance.
“The place will be absolutely rocking so we’re looking for a really good performance from the players, but also a really good atmosphere for the fans.
“This is the first full week we’ve had to prepare for a game. We’ve managed to get a few guys back as well, which bolsters the squad a wee bit. It’s a great game to be involved in, there’ll be a great intensity to the game.
“They have a lot of possession, in the wider areas, with the numbers eights breaking forward, we have to try and shut them off. But we also have to bring an attacking threat to the game. I expect them to be very expansive and we have to try and find areas to pick them off.”
Celtic played Hearts on five occasions last season and came out as victors on four occasions, so recent history certainly favours Ange Postecoglou’s team.
Our last trip to Tynecastle ended in a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Reo Hatate and Giorgos Giakoumakis, finding revenge for the opening-day defeat that caused so much drama and outside noise last summer.
The smart money will be on another Bhoys win, but as Neilson alludes to, Tynecastle can be a difficult environment for Celtic and if our opponents start well it will only fire up the crowd and it make it a tougher test. Hopefully, however, we can start with intensity and ensure that’s not an issue.
In other news, “We can’t compete”; Opponent left gutted by Celtic visit.
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