Hearts tactics will change to target Celtic’s defensive frailties

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The Celtic Star

·27 March 2025

Hearts tactics will change to target Celtic’s defensive frailties

Both Hibs and theRangers exposed our frailties, others will try to follow suit, it’s vital we combat that and Hearts will provide the opportunity to do so on Saturday…

Callum McGregor, Hibs v Celtic. 22 February 2025.Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

In our last four league fixtures we’ve lost twice, one away to Hibs, and of course the most recent shock home defeat to theRangers.

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Not the form worthy of champions

That is not the form worthy of champions, and we are lucky our consistency for most of the season has seen us command an unassailable lead at the top of the table, or we would be in serious trouble otherwise. Of course the other way of looking at it is that the substantial lead Celtic has build up has allowed some complacency to creep in and that’s an entire different concern. Both should be addressed by Brendan Rodgers and his coaching staff having had ten days to consider matters.

Kasper Schmeichel picks the ball out of the net during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Celtic v theRangers 16 March 2025. Photo O Rourke, Shutterstock

Hibs deserved their victory over us despite Alan Muir having a helping hand, as they exposed our frailties getting their just rewards in the end. Then theRangers done exactly the same thing at Celtic Park almost a fortnight ago, having implemented a similar plan in the new year game at Ibrox. The less said about that the better.

Inability at times to deal with the high press

Celtic’s weakness appears to be our inability at times to deal with the high press and being overrun in the middle of the park, it’s entirely obvious our opponents have done their homework and other sides will follow suit in a bid to emulate the Easter Road and Ibrox sides.

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

You can be sure other sides will be doing likewise, and with it now being the business end of the season they will working extra hard to get result, as they should.

Hearts will deploy the same tactics as Hibs and theRangers

Hearts our next opponents will deploy the same tactics when they visit Celtic Park on Saturday, you can be certain of that. It’s up to us to combat this and find the solution. If not we will endure a bumpy end to the season.

Saturday though is the perfect opportunity for Celtic to respond with an emphatic ‘that’s why we’re Champions’ victory and an excellent performance.

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