Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser on Sportsound

The first corner of the evening goes the way of Celtic. Ryan Christie swings it in and a header from Christopher Jullien is knocked to safety by a defender in maroon.

Craig Wighton does well to knock a cross down into the path of Oliver Bozanic and the Australian's shot from 18 yards is comfortably gathered by Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

A lively start from Hearts as the home side press for an opening. Lots of energy but no early glimpse of goal.

Allan Preston
Former Hearts winger on BBC Sportsound

And away we go...

When asked about the disharmony at Hearts, Neil Lennon adds: "It's strange, they have a good squad of players. They've already drawn against Rangers here so we need to be wary of that. We are not expecting a walk over. It will be physical and it'll be a good tempo.

"They [Hearts] look like they have legs in the team and more energy. It's important we start the game well and put them under pressure when we can."

With January approaching, Lennon went on to talk about the prospect of adding to his squad, telling BBC Sportsound: "You are always looking to strengthen.

"We want to do that in one or two areas with quality, because January is very difficult to do really good business."

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Speaking pre-match to BBC Sportsound, Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been praising his side's attitude, saying: "They have a great winning mentality. We know we can have a bump along the way but the response since (the loss to) Livingston has been perfect.

"We've got a big game tonight. This is a big game in context of the season, so it's important that we focus our minds and prepare properly, but they [the players] do that very well."

Allan Preston
Former Hearts winger on BBC Sportsound

This is the second meeting of the clubs this season. Celtic eased to a 3-1 victory over Hearts back in August, with Callum McGregor drilling in a great, long-range strike. Vakoun Bayo was claiming the first and third goals that day but they went down as own goals from Christophe Berra and Craig Halkett.

Conor Washington's late goal, a rebound after Fraser Forster saved his penalty, was mere consolation.

Image source, SNS

Hearts have only managed three home wins in 2019. But they have enjoyed some recent success against Celtic at Tynecastle.

The teams met six times last season, with the Edinburgh side winning the first of those encounters thanks to a volley from Kyle Lafferty.

The Northern Irish striker was also on target when Hearts stunned Celtic 4-0 in December 2017, bringing to an end the visitors' 69-game unbeaten domestic run.

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Under Neil Lennon, Celtic have won each of their last 12 league games against Hearts, scoring 33 goals while conceding just five in this run since a 2-0 loss in October 2011 during his first spell in charge.

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

Celtic are looking for nine in a row to stretch their lead at the top of the Premiership to five points.

The champions, on a quest for a ninth successive title, have won their last eight league outings, keeping clean sheets in six of those matches. They have also lifted the League Cup for the fourth year running and qualified top of their Europa Leage group since a shock loss to Livingston in early October, so it's been quite the hot streak.

Neil Lennon's men didn't have much trouble at home to Hibs on Sunday and now they switch their attention to the maroon half of Edinburgh.

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Hearts visit Hamilton on Saturday and former skipper Gary Mackay thinks this is "a pivotal" week for his old club.

"If we go into the Christmas period after the two games we have sitting bottom, which in reality could happen, then there will have to be a lot of soul searching done by everybody within the football department and boardroom," he told BBC Sportsound on Monday.

"They're not really expected to do anything against Celtic but if they go to Hamilton with the same attitude as they showed on Saturday, there's only going to be one outcome and it's not a Hearts draw or victory

"They have to show more passion for the jersey they're wearing and understand that there's not many clubs that can turn out 16,500 supporters when you're sitting bottom of the Premiership."

When asked if Hearts looked like a side that could be relegated, the ominous reply was: "Absolutely."

Hearts had their AGM yesterday, with chairwoman Ann Budge admitting she made a mistake by not replacing Craig Levein as manager in the summer.

She also said Levein and former assistant Austin MacPhee might not see out their contracts, which end in May.

One shareholder asked if the former Scotland manager, sacked from his duel role as manager and director of football in October, is still around on a daily basis, with Budge explaining that he stays away in the mornings while MacPhee, who will help with recruitment and video analysis, will work from home.

"I've made slight changes so there can be no suggestion that he [Levein] is interfering with the first team," Budge added.

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The fresh-faced Jeremie Frimpong may look like one of the ballboys who has just sneaked on, but the teenage full-back must be one of the first names on the team-sheet for Celtic gaffer Neil Lennon.

The right-back was tremendous at the weekend, scoring against Hibs and bombing up and down the wing all day with real menace.

"I don't want to big him up too much but everyone is seeing it with their own eyes," said Lennon on Sunday.

"His level of performance is outstanding. He has pace, power, end product. He's been magnificent since he came in the door."

Image source, SNS

Allan Preston
BBC Scotland summariser on Sportsound

Hearts manager Daniel Stendel did not get off to a great start, with his team booed off on Saturday following a 1-0 home defeat to St Johnstone, who had been bottom of the league.

The German said afterwards that the job of reviving the Edinburgh club will be "more hard work than I expected", adding that the players were "too nervous, too hectic".

With just two wins from 17 league games, only Hamilton are below Hearts now and that's on goal difference.

Image source, SNS