Bhoys Looking To Preserve Feel-Good Factor

Bhoys Looking To Preserve Feel-Good Factor​

Official TC Match Preview


Celtic v Hearts
Scottish Premier League
Parkhead
Sunday, October 7, 2012
KO: 12:45


With Celtic on cloud nine at the moment, the team will be hoping to keep morale high with a win over Hearts that will keep them top of the table regardless of results elsewhere. The Hoops are currently one point ahead of Motherwell with a game in hand and a win on Sunday will keep Celtic at the summit no matter whether the Steelmen win or not.


Neil Lennon and his players finally vanquished the club's horrible away record in the group stages of the Champions League by picking up all three points against Spartak Moscow on Tuesday night in an exhilarating 3-2 win. Hearts will be hoping to capitalise on any post-European success hangover that the Hoops may have following that victory.


There have also been a few Bhoys who have been given bigger boosts ahead of the key clash in Glasgow's East End on Sunday afternoon. Charlie Mulgrew has today penned a four-year contract extension following his sensation player of the year campaign last year and will undoubtedly be on a high.



One of the most historic games in Celtic's recent history


Fraser Forster also received a massive boost of his own yesterday by discovering he had been called up to the England squad for their upcoming international games next week. The Celtic goalkeeper has been in fine form for the Bhoys on the biggest stage of all but if Hearts thought that he would have taken his eye of the ball as a result ahead of Sunday, then they would be very much mistaken.


"We had a great result on Tuesday and then I got the call-up as well so I am delighted," said the former Norwich City shot-stopper. "But the league is very important to us. It will be a tough game against Hearts like it always is so it is important we all concentrate on that and go into the international break with a good win."



Forster: "One of the best weeks of my career"


With regards to team news, Celtic captain Scott Brown is in the squad but is very unlikely to feature due to his on-going hip problem and he once more had to take anti-inflammatories ahead of the Spartak Moscow game. Manager Neil Lennon has also insisted that Brown take part in only one of Scotland's World Cup qualifiers next week.


Beram Kayal and Joe Ledley though are back to full-fitness and have been included in the squad while James Forrest is vying for a starting spot following his game-changing display from the bench in Russia. Adam Matthews' chances of featuring are rated 50/50 and he will be touch and go up to kick off time with an ankle injury while striker Lassad is fit again following a calf strain. Georgios Samaras, who headed his way into club folklore in Moscow, misses out.


The Jambos, who currently sit eighth in the SPL table, will welcome Andy Webster back to the side for this encounter having missed their last three games due to a back injury after training well all week. However, a knee injury to goalkeeper Mark Ridgers means he remains out meaning Jamie MacDonald retains his place between the posts.



The Welshman came off the bench on Tuesday and will be hoping to start


One to Watch:
Marius Zaliukas - The centre-back usually causes problems for Celtic's attackers and has been impressive so far for Hearts this season having played ever minute for the club on league duty and is a key man.


Squads



Celtic (from): Forster, Matthews, Lustig, Brown, Wilson, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Wanyama, Commons, Ledley, Kayal, Forrest, McGeouch, Hooper, Zaluska, Watt, Lassad, Miku, McCourt.

Form: WWLDW




Hearts (from): MacDonald, R McGowan, Webster, Zaliukas, Grainger, Paterson, Barr, Taouil, Novikovas, Carrick, Sutton, Driver, Robinson, Holt, D McGowan, McHattie, Stevenson, Smith, Enckelman.

Form: LWLLD

Referee: C Thomson​

Odds:
Celtic: 1/3, Draw: 7/2, Hearts: 10/1


P.W.
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