Hearts boss Steven Naismith makes bold claim before Celtic game

Celtic will look to continue their winning start to the season when they take on Hearts at Parkhead this weekend. Brendan Rodgers' side have won all four of their league games so far in the 2024/25 campaign, and have not even conceded a goal while doing so. They also advanced to the next round of the Scottish League Cup, already improving on their performance in the competition last time around.

Hearts, on the other hand, have not made a good start to their season. They have one point after four league games and are looking like relegation contenders, although it might be a bit too early to make that claim.

Steven Naismith has been around the game long enough to know that his side need to deliver a result soon. And a positive at Celtic Park has the potential to turn their entire campaign around.

Of course, that is easier said than done. But then, Hearts did win at Parkhead last season and have given Celtic troubles in recent times. So, the result of this game is far from a foregone conclusion.

Hearts boss Steven Naismith makes bold claim before Celtic game

Naismith sounds confident in his side's ability to get a result against Celtic. As reported by STV News, the Hearts manager said ahead of the game at Parkhead:

"I just hope we can win, in the short-term we just need to win a game, we need to get off the mark and get ourselves moving.

“It’s going to be the toughest game we have had all season, Celtic have recruited well, and they’ve started well, and they have players who were signed last year who are now looking comfortable and have contributed.

“So it will be a tough game, but it’s one that I do feel we can get a result in. We did show that last year and it was similar in that no one gave us a chance and we put on a good performance."

It is quite clear that Naismith is trying to draw inspiration from his side's win at Celtic Park last season ahead of this trip to Glasgow. He added:

"The game we won (at Celtic Park) the goals came from a corner and a free-kick, but the play before that was really good and really brave, and we will need that again tomorrow."

Of course, Celtic will know that they cannot take any side lightly in the league. Every point is important. Otherwise, that lead they have built up over the Rangers can evaporate pretty quickly, just like it did last season. Nobody wants to see a repeat of that. So, let's hope the Hoops bring A-game.