Brendan Rodgers expecting tough game at Tynecastle tonight | OneFootball

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers insists he is expecting a ‘tough game’ at Tynecastle this evening…

Heart of Midlothian v Celtic – Premiership – Tynecastle Park Celtic’s Greg Taylor and Celtics Cameron Carter-Vickers speak with match referee Don Robertson after he awards a penalty to Heartsduring the match at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. Saturday March 2, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

The Hoops are unbeaten domestically so far this season winning 10 of their 11 league matches. Subsequently, Rodgers’ men sit level on points with Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership table but have a +14 superior goal difference to the Dons.

Celtic could well be in second place come the tonight’s late kick-off as Aberdeen head to Paisley to face St Mirren this afternoon. A victory for Thelin’s men heaps all the pressure onto the Scottish champions who are heavy favourites for the encounter.

Hearts are in 11th spot following a dreadful start to the campaign but seem to have been revitalised under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers’ former Liverpool colleague Neil Critchley. The ex Blackpool manager replaced Steven Naismith in September and has won three of his opening seven matches as Jambos gaffer.

Meanwhile, the last time Celtic were beaten on domestic ground came at Tynecastle in early March. Eight months, and 24 games later, the Hoops have been in scintillating form in Scotland and look unstoppable at the moment.

Brendan Rodgers at Tynecastle, Saturday March 2, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

However, manager Brendan Rodgers believes that his team are still in for a hard clash against Hearts despite the hosts dismal start to their campaign across the domestic front.

Speaking to Celtic TV, the Irishman said, “It’s always been a tough game there. I think my last evening game there was actually with Liverpool in the Europa League. Every other game has been an early kick-off. I look forward to us getting together again. It’s a great game to get started. It’s always a tough game at Tynecastle and we’ll be ready and prepared for it.”

“It’s always a wee bit fragmented over the international period, but thus far, they are all back healthy and we hope that stays the case. Because we have such a long run from now until March, with no winter break, I gave the players and staff the chance to reset and come out of the intensity of the battle as such and we reconvene now for an exciting couple of months.”

Rodgers explained, “we are going to get the chance to see a lot of the players play, because we’ll need that to keep the energy and freshness in the ream. I’m really comfortable with the squad we have and that togetherness of mindset that we have cultivated is really strong. It allows me to look forward to this next period of games, starting at Hearts.”

A reminder that tonight’s kick-off is 7:45pm. The game is live on Sky Sports Football. Hoops fans outside Britain and Ireland will be able to watch the match on Celtic TV.

Conor Spence

CELTIC IN THE THIRTIES, VOLUMES ONE & TWO BY MATT CORR – OUT NOW! Order your signed copies below…

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. OUT NOW!

More Stories / Latest News

Brendan Rodgers expecting tough game at Tynecastle tonight

Nov 23 2024, 7:49

Celtic in the Thirties: Unpublished works of David Potter – George Paterson

Nov 23 2024, 7:44

Brendan just being coy about his own contract situation at Celtic

Nov 23 2024, 7:26