Top of the Table Tynecastle Tussle
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Liam Scales celebrates his equalizer during the 2-1 Europa League win against Sturm Graz

Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh
Saturday, 26 October 2025
12.00 GMT

The Hoops are back in Premiership action this weekend, when they travel through to Edinburgh for a top of the table titan clash with Hearts at Tynecastle.

With 8 matches played, there is still a very long way to go this season, but Celtic find themselves in the unfamiliar position of having to play catch up for once, as the Gorgie club have stolen a march through remarkably good and consistent form, with the hosts coming into this game holding a 5 point advantage over Brendan Rodgers' side.

The recent 2-1 win against Sturm Graz in the Europa League was a much needed boost for a Celtic side that has been struggling for rhythm and attacking penetration this season, and it was absolutely crucial.

Not simply to keep their European ambitions alive, but also with so many critical fixtures coming up, they needed a performance like they put on in the second half against Sturm, to re-ignite that belief and confidence of what they are capable of for what is a stacked run of games, starting with this mouth watering showdown between these sides at Tynecastle on Sunday.


Benjamin Nygren scored the winner against Sturm Graz on Thursday evening

Much has been made of the Jambos early season form under the guidance of manager Derek McInnes, who, in conjunction with the new data resources of Jamestown Analytics and financial investment from Tony Bloom, has quickly integrated so many new signings with the existing core of players, and playing to their strengths has given them a fantastic platform for the season, as they have made their best League start in 20 years!

The Gorgie club are energized, united and brimming with confidence, which has come through time and time again already this season. Seven wins and a draw from their first eight Premiership fixtures are testament to that, including a first Edinburgh derby win since 2023 and securing victory away at Ipox for the first time since 2014.

And even the solitary draw is emblematic. From being down 3-0 to Motherwell to never giving up and fighting all the way back from there to maintain their undefeated start to the season when from so far behind really points to this as being a Hearts team that could mount a serious challenge, especially if they are able to either maintain their current advantage or even extend it.

Again, it must be pointed out that it is still very early in the season and noone is crowned Champions in November, but should Celtic fall further behind the current League leaders, it will undoubtedly respresent the biggest threat to their domestic dominance in years, not to mention further instill belief that the title could concievably end up somewhere other than Glasgow for the first time in over 40 years!

While there are those that will point to Aberdeen's flying start to last season which ultimately unravelled, every challenge is unique. At no point during Aberdeen's run were Celtic as out of sorts as they have been so far this campaign, and certainly there was never a gap at the top of the table as there is now, which Hearts could extend even further. This is a challenge that has to be taken seriously.

While the Hoops face Falkirk next, following that there is the League Cup Semi-Final derby with Sevco, followed by an 'Away' trip to take on Europa League leaders and Danish champions, Midtjylland. And because of the League Cup match, if Hearts do manage to secure a win this weekend, then the gap could realistically become double digits within a week.

There is no other way of putting it. This game is massive for so many reasons!​

Reo Hatate in action against Hearts last season.

By the Numbers​

• The Hoops have won 14 of the past 16 meetings between these sides across all competitions.

• The Bhoys have still only scored five First Half goals in total across all competitions so far this season - with just two of those coming in the League.

• Closer Than You Think - So far in the whole of 2025, Celtic (59 points) have picked up just two League points more in total than Hearts have (57 points).

• First Goal Matters - Both teams also have won 100% of League games when they have scored first - with Hearts recording 6 wins when that has happened, compared to Celtic's 5.

Johnny Kenny will likely be required to step up more due to Kelechi Iheanacho's injury

Team News

For Celtic, hamstring strains picked up in the win against Sturm for both Kelechi Iheanacho and Alistair Johnston (whose return to action was cut short) mean will join Jota (knee) on the sidelines.

Elsewhere, Daizen Maeda narrowly failed a fitness test before the Sturm game, so perhaps the extra few days will help, but as it stands he remains a doubt, as is Cameron Carter-Vickers, who was obliged to play through the full 90min on Thursday, it has now been revealed has an achilles problem that could have him sidelined for months.

In the absence of both Maeda and Iheanacho, Brendan Rodgers will need to turn to Johnny Kenny to help lead the attack, while will also likely be required to bring Shin Yamada, the only other striker at the club, in from the fringes to the bench, in order to help ease the pressure for the domestic games, while Colby Donovan could return to the starting XI at right back, after the youngster recorded his first assist for Celtic in midweek, while either Auston Trusty or Dane Murray will slot in beside Liam Scales in the heart of the Hoops' defence.

As for the hosts, they will again be without half a dozen players through injury, including Calem Nieuwenhof, Ageu and Finlay Pollock (each with hamstring issues), Ryan Fulton (groin), Christian Borchgrevink (thigh) and Frankie Kent (knee).​

Referee: Steven McLean

The 44y.o. is one of the most experienced active referees in Scotland, having taken charge of 268 Premiership matches. And while Celtic's form so far this season has been inconsistent, the same can be said of their recent form in matches officiated by McLean over the past few years, with a record of 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses since the start of 2024.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:45 W:33 D:5 L:7

VAR: Andrew Dallas



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 339 W: 185 D: 75 L: 79​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W W L

~~~~ 2025/26 Form ~~~~

All Comps
W L W L D ~ W W W W W

SPFL
L W D W D ~ W W W W W​