Celtic have four more league games to go and with the Hoops enjoying a much superior goal difference over Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side till now, it feels like winning just two of those games could be enough to crown them the Champions of Scotland. The four remaining teams that they will have to face this season are the Rangers, Hearts, Dundee United and Motherwell.
The game against Hearts is going to be played at Parkhead, which is an advantage for the Hoops. They must be careful of the quality that Robbie Neilson’s side possess though as they sit at third and have made the Scottish Cup final as well, which will give them huge confidence.
Thus, Celtic might need to be on top of their game to get a result against Hearts, a team that they have struggled against this season on a few occasions.
It looks like Neilson could be without as many as three of his key players on the day though. Beni Baningime has been ruled out for the season, while there are question marks over the participation of John Souttar and Craig Halkett against Celtic as well.
Hearts could be without three key players against Celtic
As reported by the Daily Record, while speaking about Halkett, Neilson said:
"“Craig will probably be available for the league game against Rangers [14 May] and play a part of it.”"
On the other hand, as reported by The Scottish Sun, the Hearts manager said about Souttar:
"“We are hoping to have him back for, potentially, the Celtic game, but definitely Motherwell, which will give him a run to the Rangers league game and the final.”"
Thus, while Hearts appear to be hoping to have Souttar back against Celtic, it looks like the Motherwell game is the primary target. It also has to be pointed out that the defender has been out of action since early March and even if he was available, it is unlikely that Hearts would throw him right back into the starting XI, especially with a Scottish Cup final not far away.
Thus, it is very possible that Hearts could be without three of their key players in the upcoming game against Celtic at Parkhead.