Why Celtic will get back to their pre-break rhythm against Hearts

The international break is finally behind us (for another month at least) as Celtic return to action against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon.

Plenty of Celts were at the top of their game for their respective countries, with Kyogo Furuhashi, Paulo Bernardo, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Mikey Johnston all getting on the scoresheet for their national teams.

The focus switches back to domestic football now, though, with Celtic having a seven-point lead at the top of the table to defend when they take on Hearts. Tynecastle is not normally an easy ground to visit, with Rodgers having a mixed bag of results when playing there.

 

Rodgers has travelled to Tynecastle five times in his Celtic career, winning three of the games and losing two of them, with one of those losses being the capitulation that resulted in the ending of Celtic’s 69-game unbeaten record in 2017.

Despite some slip-ups, Rodgers also notched up some comprehensive victories at Tynecastle – a 5-0 win back in April 2017 being the standout result. His maiden trip to Gorgie didn’t come as Celtic manager, however, as he faced off against the Jambos back in 2012 when he was Liverpool manager, winning the Europa League tie 2-1 across both legs and securing qualification for the group stage.

Hearts currently sit in 4th place in the cinch Premiership, and early results for Steven Naismith’s side have been a mixed bag. Hard-fought wins over Aberdeen and Ross County have been dotted in amongst a disappointing defeat against newly-promoted Dundee and a draw against Kilmarnock. Their most recent fixture was one of the biggest on their calendar as they drew 2-2 in the first Edinburgh derby of the season, a late Elie Youan double snatching an away draw for Hibs.

Rodgers and his side will be encouraged by Celtic’s recent domestic form with the Hoops beginning to hit their stride after falling over some early hurdles in the first few weeks of the season. The team have shown a strong mentality in recent games, not allowing a sending-off to affect the performance levels against Livingston, then bouncing back from a 95th-minute Motherwell equaliser to snatch the victory in the 98th minute through a Matt O’Riley winner.

The last league fixture at home to Kilmarnock was arguably the most complete performance from Celtic so far this season, and that can be attributed to Reo Hatate being at the top of his game on the day, as the Japanese midfielder played a starring role by grabbing a goal and an assist.

Celtic will be without Liel Abada and Stephen Welsh for this fixture, with the pair expected back in December, but Rodgers revealed this week that Polish centre-back Maik Nawrocki has returned to training at Lennoxtown and has been working with the squad for around a week now.

The team will be further boosted by Daizen Maeda’s inclusion in Friday’s training following an injury sweat that forced him to withdraw from the Japanese national team squad. Rodgers announced to the media this week that Maeda will be fit and ready for Sunday’s game, and given the pacey winger’s impressive form so far this season, that will provide a welcome boost for this Celtic team.

Celtic won every single meeting with the Jambos last season and will be looking to not only maintain that winning record but also maintain their early 7-point lead at the top of the table.

JAMES MCKENZIE // Follow James HERE