Summary

  • Celtic now four points behind leaders Rangers

  • Postecoglou's men five points above Hearts having played a game fewer

  • Forrest hits post before Kyogo converts Ralston cross at near post for half-time lead

  • Celtic lose Ralston, Jota & Welsh to injury; both sides go close in thrilling second half

  • Watch highlights on Sportscene at 23:00 GMT on BBC Scotland

  1. Cup cheer for Celtic in Augustpublished at 19:23 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Celtic only had to wait a couple of weeks to avenge that loss in Gorgie, dumping Hearts out of the League Cup with a 3-2 home win.

    The scoreline doesn't really reflect the pattern of play since Celtic dominated for long spells, with 72% possession and 36 shots to Hearts' five, while the visitors scored their second goal with virtually the last kick of the ball.

    Kyogo lashed Celtic into a 3-1 lead in their League Cup victoryImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Kyogo lashed Celtic into a 3-1 lead in their League Cup victory

  2. Souttar sinks Celtic at Tynecastlepublished at 19:21 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Hearts have already beaten Celtic this season, winning the opening league match 2-1 at Tynecastle at the end of July.

    John Souttar struck late for the Edinburgh side, nodding in the decisive goal on 89 minutes.

    The last time Hearts managed back-to-back league meetings in this fixture was in August 2006 under Valdas Ivanauskas.

    John Souttar (right) celebrates his winning goal with Liam BoyceImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    John Souttar (right) celebrates his winning goal with Liam Boyce

  3. Celtic enjoy strong home hold on Heartspublished at 19:18 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Celtic have won 18 of their last 19 home league matches against Hearts, drawing the other 0-0 in September 2015.

  4. 'McGregor controls from deep'published at 19:15 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Pat Bonner
    Former Celtic goalkeeper on BBC Sportsound

    Quote Message

    When Callum McGregor plays in that deeper role, he really controls the game and he plays the passes to set up the wingers

  5. Ginnelly leads line as Hearts make four changespublished at 19:12 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Hearts are without Beni Baningime after the midfielder was carried off with an ankle injury in Saturday’s 2-0 win over St Mirren.

    Peter Haring steps in as his replacement, while there are also starting roles for Aaron McEneff, Ben Woodburn and Josh Ginnelly.

    Top scorer Liam Boyce drops to the bench, along with Gary Mackay-Steven and there's no place in the squad for Andy Halliday.

  6. Starfelt & Rogic back for Celticpublished at 19:10 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Carl Starfelt and Tom Rogic are fit again for Celtic, with Cameron Carter-Vickers and James McCarthy dropping out from the weekend win over Aberdeen.

    James Forrest is restored to the attack at the expense of Liel Abada.

    Carter-Vickers is missing for personal reasons, with McCarthy and Abada on the bench.

    Striker Giorgos Giakoumakis is still out injured, while defenders Christopher Jullien and Greg Taylor are working their way back to fitness.

  7. Neilson wants wins in Glasgowpublished at 19:07 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    "We’ve got belief in our team and we have to take that on to the pitch," said Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson the other day. "We spoke at the start of the season about improving our away form and trying to go to Glasgow and win, and this is another chance to try and do that.

    "We did well against Rangers (at Ibrox in October) and got a point but we want to do more than that, we want to go and win games.

    "We want to go there and take the game to Celtic. We’ve got an opportunity to go above them, which doesn’t happen very often."

    Hearts head coach Robbie NeilsonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson stretches his legs at Celtic Park

  8. Postecoglou goes 'day-by-day'published at 19:05 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Celtic are playing two games a week for all of December but manager Ange Postecoglou is not looking too far ahead as he settles into life in Scotland.

    Earlier this week he explained: "We do our planning but after that it is really about being dynamic, being alert and treating ever day as it comes because you can sort of pre-plan things in terms of squad rotation and rest and so forth, but you get injuries, loss of form and things you need to change.

    "So what we are trying to do is and what I have always done is take it on a day-by-day basis – who looks good, who feels right for the next game and tackle that task and put a line through it and move on to the next one."

    Ange Postecoglou arriving at Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    No jacket required: Ange Postecoglou arriving at Celtic Park

  9. LINE-UPS at Celtic Parkpublished at 19:01 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Welsh, Starfelt, Juranovic, McGregor, Turnbull, Forrest, Rogic, Jota, Kyogo.

    Substitutes: Bain, Bitton, Ajeti, Abada, McCarthy, Johnston, Montgomery.

    Hearts: Gordon, Smith, Souttar, Halkett, Kingsley, Haring, Devlin, McEneff, McKay, Woodburn, Ginnelly.

    Substitutes: Stewart, Boyce, Mackay-Steven, Moore, Cochrane, Pollock, Gnanduillet.

  10. Second v third at Celtic Parkpublished at 18:59 GMT 2 December 2021

    Celtic v Hearts (19:45)

    Rangers established a seven point cushion at the top of the Scottish Premiership last night thanks to a late penalty winner at Easter Road.

    That gap will be cut since nearest challengers Celtic and Hearts meet in Glasgow this evening.

    Celtic have a game in hand on the champions, while Hearts are two points behind the hosts in third place.

    Stay with us for team news, build up and all of the action.

    Scottish PremiershipImage source, BBC Sport