Hearts are caught napping from a quick free-kick and Anthony Ralston's fizzing, low cross is hacked away from a defender inside the six yard box.

Jota cuts in from the left and we all know what he's going to do. With Michael Smith back pedalling, the Celtic winger takes aim for the far top corner but his shot is just too high.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Sportsound

The visitors are almost caught dithering at the back again but James Forrest can't get away and support in maroon arrives to snuff out the danger.

Howls of protest from the home fans as Cammy Devlin slides in to wipe out Kyogo. Referee Bobby Madden settles for a quiet word with the Hearts midfielder, which is rather generous.

Michael Stewart
Former Hearts midfielder on BBC Sportsound

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

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Extraordinary! Cammy Devlin is robbed near his own penalty area and Celtic are swarming forward. Jota fires off a shot that looks like a routine save for Craig Gordon but the Hearts goalie spills it the feet of James Forrest, who can only slam the ball against the post from all of three yards.

Gordon got a fingertip on the loose ball, which may have been crucial in putting Forrest off but that should really be 1-0.

Now Hearts have a corner after a Michael Smith gallop.

All the big men are up but Stephen Kingsley's cross doesn't beat the first defender.

Carl Starfelt meets a David Turnbull free kick at the back post area and the Celtic defender's header is deflected just wide.

Corner number three for the hosts...

Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

The home side are not messing about, streaming forward whenever they can, and a Jota cross from the left is knocked out for a corner.

Hearts repel the set-piece but need to regroup for another as Celtic come again and Anthony Ralston's low delivery is deflected behind.

Again, no trouble for visiting goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

A peep of the whistle from referee Bobby Maddden and away we go.

Celtic lead the way for home goals scored in the Scottish Premiership, with 20 from seven outings so far. They also have the finest home defensive record with just two goals conceded.

They are undefeated on their own patch but have dropped points to Dundee United and Livingston. Despite those slips, their home average of 2.43 points is the best in the division.

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou tells BBC Sportsound: "Carl [Starfelt] and Tom [Rogic] have been out for a while but they're ready to go and we’re keen to get them back into the team.

"We’ve got so many games coming up, we've got people off the bench who can make a difference, we’ll need a good squad to get through this series of games."

When questioned about the importance of tonight's game he adds: "The significance is in our football, the way we perform. Then you can bank the three points.

"Our form has been pretty consistent and that helps to build belief and confidence amongst the lads.

"We’re at home, the crowd behind us tonight, so it is important we start well and bring the right energy to the game and hopefully get the job done."

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Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson speaking to BBC Sportsound:

"The previous time we came here we found it hard to get up the pitch but with players like Ben Woodburn, Aaron McEneff and Josh Ginnelly we can hopefully do that tonight. They bring real pace to the side.

"Liam Boyce is still coming back from a calf injury. He’ll come on at some point, and he also he gives you impact off the bench.

"We’ve had some good results here over the years and tonight's a night we hope we can get another one. We try and take it one game at a time. If we win, we go into second place, if we don’t we move on to Sunday."

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Craig Gordon and Joe Hart were at opposite ends for Scotland's dramatic 2-2 draw with England at Hampden in June 2017.

Harry Kane's stoppage-time leveller is still a source of frustration after Hart was beaten by two fantastic Leigh Griffiths free-kicks late in the game.

The Celtic goalie will need to be on his toes if Hearts get any set-pieces within shooting range since Stephen Kingsley is becoming something of a specialist.

At 34, Joe Hart is but a mere pup and the former England goalkeeper has made a good impression since joining Celtic in the summer.

There's still the odd hairy moment, but there has been a string of impressive saves and 11 clean sheets in 25 appearances this season.

With him and Gordon between the sticks, forwards will need to work hard for goals this evening.

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Craig Gordon was kept very busy in that League Cup win for Celtic and the Hearts goalkeeper also made a couple of stunning late saves to protect his side's lead in the prior Premiership success.

The Scotland international will be celebrating his 39th birthday on Hogmanay and appears to be getting better and better with each passing year.

He was at it again on Saturday, with some top stops in the win over St Mirren.

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Pat Bonner
Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound