'I don’t want us to be cowed by the fact that Celtic are coming,' Hearts boss

The former Aberdeen manager hailed Rodgers as a “top operator” and acknowledged that competing against his sides is invariably the sternest challenge in Scottish football.

Celtic head to Tynecastle buoyed by their 2-1 Europa League victory over SK Sturm Graz on Thursday night at Celtic Park, as Hearts occupy top spot in the Scottish Premiership following an impressive opening to the season under McInnes.

The stage is set for one of the season’s most compelling encounters, with the Jambos in top-form and Celtic on the back of a decent win in Europe midweek.

McInnes recognised the magnitude of the task ahead but emphasised that his players will face it with confidence and intent. While he commended Rodgers’ tactical acumen and Celtic’s high-energy style of play in previous years, he maintained that Hearts plan to be bold and fully exploit the benefits of playing in front of a packed out Tynecastle.

Speaking via Daily Record, McInnes said: “Obviously Celtic over the years has always provided the toughest challenge for everybody. I’ve come up against Brendan’s teams often enough and he’s a top operator. His team, when they play at their best with that real speed and connection and goal threats, they’re difficult to play against at times.”

The Hearts boss added: “They’re the team that tests your organisation the most, the team that tests your discipline the most. I say every game is a challenge but every game for us is an opportunity and we should go into the game exactly the way we are. We should feel there’s a result in there for us if we perform.

“So I don’t want us to be cowed by the fact that Celtic are coming – I think we’ve got to relish it.“

Brendan Rodgers side, despite the three midweek injury blows and the ongoing concern surrounding Daizen Maeda’s fitness, will arrive at Tynecastle in a better place than they’ve been in recent weeks, buoyed by the comeback victory against the Austrian champions on Thursday night under the lights at Paradise.

It’s shaping up to be quite an encounter with both sets of supporters and the huge audience on Sky Sports relishing the prospect of one of the games of the Scottish Premiership season when the two top sides in the country go head-to-head. No disrespect to Hibs in third place.

COYBIG!

Conor Spence

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