Rangers slipped up against the green half of Edinburgh with an incident-packed 2-2 draw at Easter Road and the Hoops can take full advantage against Robbie Neilson’s men.
But the Gorgie side will be looking to become the first side to inflict a domestic defeat on Celtic at Parkhead under Ange Postecoglou and the first Scottish side to beat them since Livingston almost a year ago.
The Jambos are coming back off a tough European away trip after they went down 2-1 to FC Zurich in their Europa League playoff tie with the huge return to come at Tynecastle on Thursday.
Hearts might have one eye on that but Neilson will be keen to ensure his players are fully focused on today’s job. They will be in the hat for a European draw regardless on Friday – Europa League or Conference League – while Celtic find out their Champions League group opponents 24 hours earlier.
For now, though, it’s all about domestic matters. It was last season’s league form that got them to their respective stages in Europe and they will want to repeat that this season.
Celtic: Hart, Juranovic, Jenz, Carter-Vickers, Taylor, McGregor, O’Riley, Turnbull, Jota, Maeda, Kyogo Subs: Siegrist, Starfelt, Giakoumakis, Abada, Mooy, Bernabei, Hatate, Forrest, Ralston
Hearts: Stewart, Sibbick, Rowles, Atkinson, Cochrane, Halliday, Haring, Forrest, Ginnelly, Mackay-Steven, Boyce Subs: McFarlane, M Smith, Grant, Shankland, Devlin, McKay, Neilson, C Smith, Pollock.
Kick Off Time
The game will kick off at 3pm (Celtic Park time). Although the game is being played 24 hours later due to Hearts’ Europa League qualifier against FC Zurich last Thursday.
Where to Watch
The game will be played in front of a capacity crowd at Paradise. The game will be available on Celtic TV for supporters outside Britain and Ireland.
Team News
There are no fresh concerns for Ange ahead of this game. The positive headline is that Reo Hatate will be available for selection but you would imagine that the manager will be keen to stick with the XI that started the 5-0 win at Rugby Park while using those that made an impact from the bench.
Moritz Jenz limped off and was replaced by the returning Carl Starfelt, who scored, but you would expect the German to start as Starfelt is eased back into action following his injury layoff. In midfield, Hatate returns to the squad but you would expect Turnbull to get the nod after an impressive display in Ayrshire
