2nd April 2016 Kickoff: 2000hrs Hearts v Celtic Football – Scotland – Scottish Premiership Celtic have been champions-elect for a matter of months such has been Brendan Rodgers’ men domination in this season’s Scottish Premiership. This weekend could see them eventually crowned as champions of Scotland for the sixth consecutive campaign, and they could do so without kicking a ball. Should Aberdeen lose on then the Hoops would clinch the title before their match at Tynecastle on Sunday. Although the main thing is clearly securing the championship, it would be somewhat of an anti-climax if the Celtic players are unable to finish the job by winning it of their own accord, particularly at a ground where it all kicked off for Rodgers back in August. As for their hosts this weekend, well the end of the season cannot come quick enough although getting one over Celtic would always be well received by their supporters.
Ian Cathro was selected as the man to replace Robbie Neilson back in December, as Neilson departed for MK Dons. His appointment was met with much annoyance and at bewilderment amongst supporters and the media alike who felt he lacked the necessary experience. Not only is this his first head coach role but his tender age was also seen as a negative with respect to how to man manage players. Those concerns appear to be well founded as it stands with Hearts struggling in the league and being eliminated from the Scottish Cup to arch rivals Hibs last month. That defeat virtually ended their season and left them to play out their remaining games with a view to building for the 2017/18 campaign. As with any poor run of form plenty of attention has been focussed on the current arrangements at Tynecastle and the role Craig Levein, as Director of Football, plays. It is felt that he has too much influence on first team matters and that in itself is undermining Cathro. However it plays out Hearts simply have to find a way to ensure that results and performances on the park improve.
It’s been a matter of when rather than in for Celtic and their quest to make it six in a row but there are just a few signs that their efforts in the first six months of the season are beginning to take their toll. The performance in the 1-1 draw with Rangers (the first time Celtic had dropped points since September) was laboured and lacking any real energy or drive. That was then followed with a workmanlike win away to Dundee before the international break. It is only natural that Celtic would suffer some sort of slump having played their first competitive match in mid July, competing in the group stages of the Champions League and winning the League Cup also meant they were virtually playing at least two games a week for the entire first half of the season. Rodgers has chosen to use a smaller squad as well for the crux of those games. Although unbeaten and wishing to stay that way throughout the whole league campaign, the most important match between now and the end of the season is the semi-final against Rangers towards the end of April. Once the league title is wrapped up the manager may choose to rotate his squad more with a view to freshening things up for that match.
Hearts have slipped to fifth of late following a run of form that has seen them win just three of their last nine league games. Factor in that defeat in the replay against Hibs and it has made for a miserable 2017 for the team from Gorgie. It is in stark contrast to their efforts last season having won promotion from the Championship in the previous campaign. Hearts finished in third spot and were hoping to go one better than that this time around, backing Neilson in the transfer market to help achieve it. With nine games left of their season it is simply about trying to finish on as positive note as possible but the fact remains that Hearts have to get their house in order if they are to reach where they want to in the coming years.
It was well documented how many Celtic players started Scotland’s crucial World Cup qualifier last weekend. Whilst that will be welcomed by Rodgers he will also be slightly concerned about how many games the core of his team have played whilst others have been getting rest. That’s the price of success, though, and Celtic will have to find a way to continue grinding out wins if they are to secure their first treble since 2001. It is also bound to be a short close season as they gear up for the Champions League qualifiers. It seems a strange reward for winning the title but that’s the next challenge for this team and a win on Sunday would officially seal their participation for another season.
Hearts v Celtic Betting Tip
I mentioned earlier in the preview about how it would be fitting for Celtic to clinch the league title at a ground and against an opponent they opened their campaign to. The arrival of Brendan Rodgers in the summer brought with it much hype and the pressure was on both he and Celtic from the start. It looked as though Hearts were going to hold them to a draw but Scott Sinclair – who only signed for the club the previous day – came off the bench to notch a winner and set the tone for the months that were to come.
A lot has changed since that opening day and there has to be a question as to whether or not Hearts can match the same intensity and desire they displayed. Should Aberdeen win then Celtic will have to cope with the pressure of securing all three points for the title and whilst it is inevitable they win it, that pressure will still be there and it still has to be handled.
There’s no doubting that Rodgers will be looking to clinch all three points and finish things off at the earliest opportunity. Hearts are completely unreliable and although capable on their day, things do not feel right at the club just now and they face a huge uphill task to get anything out this one. The 1/2 available with BetVictor is more than fair for the champions-elect to record their 12th straight away success in the league.
Celtic 1/2 @
