Celtic are not in a great spot at the moment.
Fan protests are continuing and escalating as they voice their disapproval of the club’s board including CEO Michael Nicholson and chairman Peter Lawwell.
While matters on the pitch are a huge concern, with Celtic losing 2-0 to Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday to set them back five points behind Hearts.
The Jambos top the Scottish Premiership having won seven of their eight games, their most recent victory a 3-0 triumph over Kilmarnock in Ayrshire.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 22 |
| 2 |  CelticCeltic | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 17 |
| 3 |  HibernianHibernian | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 11 |
| 4 |  Dundee UtdDundee Utd | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 10 |
| 5 |  KilmarnockKilmarnock | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 10 |
| 6 |  RangersRangers | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 9 |
In contrast, Celtic faced Killie at Rugby Park just a month ago and had to rely on VAR to dig them out of a hole and win the game 2-1.
Hearts and Celtic will lock horns this Sunday at Tynecastle in what is the most anticipated match of the league campaign so far.
The Hoops are not used to chasing in October, particularly over the last four years.
Celtic were six points behind Rangers in October 2021
Celtic haven’t been in this position since 2021 when Rangers – under the guidance of Steven Gerrard – were leading the Premiership in October.
Rangers were the defending champions and made a great start to the campaign, with many expecting them to repeat the previous season’s success.
It was all change at Celtic with Ange Postecoglou installed as the club’s new manager in the summer, permanently replacing Neil Lennon.
Ange got off to a poor start, there’s no getting away from it. At the start of October, Celtic were 6th with just 10 points earned.
Celtic’s first seven 21/22 Premiership results
- Hearts 2–1 Celtic — 31 Jul 2021
- Celtic 6–0 Dundee — 8 Aug 2021
- Celtic 6–0 St Mirren — 21 Aug 2021
- Rangers 1–0 Celtic — 29 Aug 2021
- Celtic 3–0 Ross County — 11 Sep 2021
- Livingston 1–0 Celtic — 19 Sep 2021
- Celtic 1–1 Dundee United — 26 Sep 2021
But Rangers’ good form tailed off just as Postecoglou’s Celtic machine started to motor on and away from the rest of the competition.
Gerrard left in November, leaving Giovanni van Bronckhorst with the difficult task of catching the Hoops, which he ultimately failed at.
Celtic won the league convincingly as the Ange domination era began.
Celtic can’t afford to lose against Hearts
Fast forward four years and Celtic are in a similar position trailing the Jambos, who are admittedly flying under the stewardship of Derek McInnes.
A defeat in Gorgie would see Hearts stretch their lead over Celtic to a mammoth eight points, leaving Brendan Rodgers with a big uphill climb.
A point wouldn’t be the worst result considering the form of both teams, while a win would surely dampen Hearts’ spirits and toughen Celtic’s own resolve.
Kick-off at Tynecastle this Sunday is at 12pm with the game being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
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