A Different Proposition: Match Preview

A Different Proposition
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Match Preview


Turnbull nets as Celtic continue to build on recent string of impressive performances


Sunday, 15 August 2021
15.00 BST
Celtic Park

Celtic go into this weekend's League Cup encounter with Hearts with no shortage of motivation, but when it comes to revenge, there are few better.

The Jambos secured a 2-1 victory over the Bhoys on the opening day of the League campaign, just a couple of weeks ago. This has contributed to their fine start to the 2021/22 season, having won every competitive game they have played in so far.

This includes going through the Group Stage of this competition with a clean sweep of victories against Peterhead, Stirling Albion, Cove Rangers & Inverness CT. But any thought that this is simply because of lower league opposition should consider they have also secured back to back wins in the League, over Celtic and on their last day out, an away trip to St. Mirren.

As such, they cannot be underestimated, and if a week is a long time in football, then 2 weeks can sometimes seem an eternity. And sometimes it can seem like the blink of an eye.

The stunning turnaround in the Hoops' recent form since that opening day disappointment has seen Ange Postecoglou's side not simply scratch out results, but turn on the style.

Three consecutive victories combining for a 13-2 goal differential underlines this. A 6-0 thrashing of Dundee last weekend was sandwiched by both away and home wins over Jablonec, in the Europa League, anc coming off the back of a 3-0 win, it's clear to see the confidence is being restored to a side that has been labouring for much of 2021 prior to this.

The thing is, it is not simply the number of goals that have impressed, it is in the performances that the team has produced along the way, especially in attack, which has encouraged so many, as the new faces continue to bed in with those that have had to lift themseives after a lacklustre 2020/21 season.

Indeed, one of the few highlights of an otherwise disappointing last campaign was the 2020 Scottish Cup Final between these sides, which had been delayed until December, due to the Covid shutdown. The Hoops emerged with the prize, but not until they had been held to 3-3 after extra time and were pushed all the way to spotkicks.


The Bhoys celebrate the dramatic 2020 Scottish Cup Final shootout victory

But even in that reveals that the Tynecastle side, who had been controversially relegated after the truncated 2019/20 season, had a bit of a chip on the shoulder and, judging by the flying start they have had to this season, still have a point to prove.

Both sides will go into this clash in form, high on confidence and will be keen to progress to the Quarter Final stage in order to make much more of an impact than last year, when both were knocked out at this same stage.

Celtic will be aiming to reclaim the League Cup having won it in 4 of the past 5 years, while the Edinburgh club will be looking to end almost 60 years of hurt in this competition.

Celtic have a formidable home record against Hearts, having not lost to the Tynecastle outfit in any competition at home since October 2009.Suffice to say the Hoops will be looking to extend that streak.

Speaking ahead of the game, David Turnball had this to say about the turnaround:
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“That was the first game of the league season and it was tough for us. We were still trying to gel together and it maybe came a bit soon but this time we'll be ready,” he said. “It was a hard result for us to take because I thought we played well, although I knew there was still more to come from us. Now it's their turn to come to Celtic Park and the last few days have shown how well we are playing here and we can't wait to try to go and get another win."

And the Celtic midfielder went on, commenting about having the fans back at Paradise to roar on the Bhoys:
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"It was great to have the crowd back on Thursday and the boys were all talking about how they pushed us forward. That was my first experience of it as a home player, although I came here a few years ago as a Motherwell player when it was full. Last season the stands were empty and it makes a big difference having them push you on."

The faithful return to Paradise

Team News

This is not the same Celtic that lined up just a fortnight ago. Since that defeat, Joe Hart has come in and kept clean sheets in his past 2 outings, Carl Starfelt has had a string of outings now instead of being dropped in the deep end two weeks ago, Liel Abada continues to impress, while Kyogo Furuhashi has quickly become a fan favourite and will likely be charged with leading the line once again on Sunday.

But it is not just these new signings that have provided such a sense of optimism, with fullbacks Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor adapting to the new system that Postecoglou requires of them, as well as being able to extract the best out of Tom Rogic, Ryan Christie and others.

The expectation will be that there will still be more activity in the transfer market before the window is closed, but it is very encouraging to see how Ange is able to work with, coach and improve the players that he has inherited also.

On the absentee front, Celtic will continue to be without Christopher Julien and Leigh Griffiths, as they continue to rehab their respective knee and calf injuries.

Irish international James McCarthy, who has now been training with the squad for a week, could also be in line for a debut - although it would be a surprise if it were as part of the starting XI, given the remarkable turnaround in form the the side has shown since the last time these sides last met.

Meanwhile Robbie Neilsen's side will be boosted by the return of Jamie Walker and Stephen Kingsley from injury and illness respectively and could be in contention this weekend, as is former Celt, Gary Mackay-Steven.

With both sides riding high and in form coming into this Sunday's clash, it should make for an enthralling Cup tie.

Ange Says...​

“Cup games, by their nature, are different. They tend to have more of an edge, knowing the result is so crucial.​

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“We’re at home in front of a big crowd again, which will be great, and I think we’ve improved since last time.

“It was a good game at Tynecastle and we were competitive for long spells. We weren’t really threatening Hearts enough and they did a good job of shutting us down. Our job is to turn the possession in to more of a threat this time."

Postecoglou celebrates on Thursday

Head to Head

Overall
P:332 W:180 L:77 D:75 F:613 A:353
At Celtic Park
P:164 W:103 L:22 D:39 F:339 A:152

Last 5 Overall Meetings: LWWWW
Last 5 Lg Cup Meetings: WWLLW

Last Time Out
Hearts 2-1 Celtic
Tynecastle, 31 July 2021

Last League Cup Meeting
Hearts 0 - 3 Celtic
Murrayfield Stadium, 28 October 2018

Records
Overall Win: Hearts 0-7 Celtic, 2013
Home Win: Celtic 6-0 Hearts, 1908
League Cup Win: Hearts 2-5 Celtic, 2000

2021/22 Form

Celtic
Overall: WWWLL
Home: WWD

Hearts
Overall: WWWWW
Away: WWW
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