*** OFFICIAL HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN VS CELTIC MATCH THREAD ***

[indianajones]

I'd be surprised if Shankland didn't start. He looked absolutely fine going off and on the bench. 

 

I really hope so anyway. 

[Mirror]

How many usually on var?

 

Just trying to work out, how the odds will be stacked against us.

 

11 vs 15 or 16

 

And most of those 11 carrying knocks or being played out of position 

[Rudy T]

1 hour ago, Gundermann said:

 

That needs some work. Falkirk and Hibs recently come to mind.

Indeed and it’s always been the way ONeill sets up.

[...a bit disco]

"Calling Andy Thorn. Come in Andy Thorn"

[Hearts007]

Maybe their European game might have an impact against us.. maybe wishful thinking but I still don't rate them anyway 

[Smithian]

Considering we're in the midst of an injury and suspension crisis, it's grim. I absolutely hate playing Milne in the midfield, so my lineup doesn't do that though I expect we see it.

 

Shankland

Kyzi   Braga

Milne   Magnus  McEntee  Altena

Findlay   Halkett   Stein

Schwolow

 

An 3-4-2 out of possession setup with Braga following McGregor until Celtic find an answer for that approach.

 

If McEntee is out, they probably have to play Milne in the middle as the holding midfielder. In that case, I'd go 4-3-3

 

Kyzi  Shanks  Braga

Spittal      Magnus

Milne

McCart  Finlay  Halkett  Stein

 

Man mark McGregor again and I'd play very defensively and hope to bully Celtic on set pieces. No shame with a draw.

[SIWYPod]

Obviously want to know the news on Shankland - but I do wonder if unless it's really bad news (long term injury) we might not hear/the club may play it down somewhat. 
I'm hoping he is going to be alright, and just keep him away from media duties and any training clips for the social channels to keep Celtic guessing on whether he'll feature or not. 

[Cruyff]

 

                  Braga 

Kyziridis Magnússon  Altena 

            Milne McEntee*

McCart Findlay Halkett SteinW 

                 Gordon

 

*or Spittal

 

[Pasquale for King]

8 hours ago, jamb-oz said:

Think it'll be 433:

 

Schwolow

 

Steinwender

Halkett

Findlay

McCart 

 

Spittal

Magnusson

Milne

 

Altena 

Braga

Kyziridis

 

Would rather see 424 though and have Milne in his natural LB position and go 2 up top with Braga & Kabore 

I think that looks right to me, unless we sign someone. 

[Jeremy Goss]

23 minutes ago, SIWYPod said:

Obviously want to know the news on Shankland - but I do wonder if unless it's really bad news (long term injury) we might not hear/the club may play it down somewhat. 
I'm hoping he is going to be alright, and just keep him away from media duties and any training clips for the social channels to keep Celtic guessing on whether he'll feature or not. 

I’ve got tickets for an audience with him and Robbo on Thursday night at Tynecastle so bound to hear something there if not already.

[tcjambo]

2 hours ago, Smithian said:

Considering we're in the midst of an injury and suspension crisis, it's grim. I absolutely hate playing Milne in the midfield, so my lineup doesn't do that though I expect we see it.

 

Shankland

Kyzi   Braga

Milne   Magnus  McEntee  Altena

Findlay   Halkett   Stein

Schwolow

 

An 3-4-2 out of possession setup with Braga following McGregor until Celtic find an answer for that approach.

 

If McEntee is out, they probably have to play Milne in the middle as the holding midfielder. In that case, I'd go 4-3-3

 

Kyzi  Shanks  Braga

Spittal      Magnus

Milne

McCart  Finlay  Halkett  Stein

 

Man mark McGregor again and I'd play very defensively and hope to bully Celtic on set pieces. No shame with a draw.

I don't like Milne in CM. He really needs to play on the left. McCart is too ponderous to play LB against a quick team like Celtic. Also Chesny will get much more freedom  to counter-attack in this game than against some other teams. I would be tempted to keep Braga in reserve.

 

Kyzi                        Shanks               Braga/Chesny

Spittal                     Magnus

Steinwender/McEntee

Milne      Finlay       Halkett       Altena

 

[Jambof3tornado]

Just now, tcjambo said:

I don't like Milne in CM. He really needs to play on the left. McCart is too ponderous to play LB against a quick team like Celtic. Also Chesny will get much more freedom  to counter-attack in this game than against some other teams. I would be tempted to keep Braga in reserve.

 

Kyzi                        Shanks               Braga/Chesny

Spittal                     Magnus

Steinwender/McEntee

Milne      Finlay       Halkett       Altena

 

Yup not a fan of milne in the middle

[Watt-Zeefuik]

12 hours ago, GinRummy said:

**** that. We've beat them twice already and can do it again.

 

Oh sure. According to London Hearts from what I can see we've never in our history won three league games against them in a single season, but now when our captain, two best midfielders, and best defender are out, it's totally gonna happen.

 

Sure, I'll hope for the best. But I'd be good with a draw.

[Alasdair]

Too many people falling for the ‘Martin O’ Neill is the saviour’ spin. Celtic beat Falkirk 1-0 a week ago, and Auchinleck 2-0 at the weekend. They’ve got a game on Thursday night. Kyzi needs to get his head up and provide some quality and the crowd needs to back Magnusson if he’s playing cos he looks like a rabbit in the headlights at times. We can 100% get a result. 

[Gorgie_Rules]

Has there been any news on McEntee?

 

If Magnussen turns in a performance the same as he did against Rangers then Beni/Devlin may not be missed as much as expected, he mopped up everything that game.

 

Wouldn’t be against Steinwender slotting in beside Hallket and Findlay to allow Milne and Altena more freedom, with Magnussen and ideally McEntee sitting in front, if not McEntee then Spittal, with the usual front 3 up top.

 

Got to remember we are up against a poor Celtic side by their usual standards, short-termish across the management and squad, heat on the board, small allocation, away in Bologna on Thursday night etc. There is alot still in our favour going into this one.

[hearts_enthusiasts]

we need to get behind the team from the start, getting behind them for every tackle to a goal, need to make it hostile for celtic, chanting all the old songs to get all 4 stands involved, biggest game of the season 

[Watt-Zeefuik]

12 hours ago, Carter said:

Would you have taken a draw before each of the 4 OF H2H that we've won so far? 

No because we weren't missing Shankland, Devlin, Baningime, Kingsley, and Halkett.

 

[GBJambo]

9 minutes ago, Watt-Zeefuik said:

No because we weren't missing Shankland, Devlin, Baningime, Kingsley, and Halkett.

 

Halkett is fine . No one knows about Shankland yet 

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

Celtic are completely shite atm and getting pelters from their own fans left right and centre about lack of signings and hating the board. 

 

That entire club right now is a toxic mess and believe you me that absolutely does transmit down to the players on the pitch. 

 

They feel the contempt and the pressure from their own support. 

 

There's only so much firefighting auld Martin o Neil can do.

 

I get the feeling he's putting out fires with one hand and holding back a flood with the other. 

 

It's our job on Sunday to smash in their defences as they're seriously about to capitulate. 

[BigStein]

1 minute ago, Rudi5kaceldream1ng said:

Celtic are completely shite atm and getting pelters from their own fans left right and centre about lack of signings and hating the board. 

 

That entire club right now is a toxic mess and believe you me that absolutely does transmit down to the players on the pitch. 

 

They feel the contempt and the pressure from their own support. 

 

There's only so much firefighting auld Martin o Neil can do.

 

I get the feeling he's putting out fires with one hand and holding back a flood with the other. 

 

It's our job on Sunday to smash in their defences as they're seriously about to capitulate. 

It’s a fair point, the Celtic players are fully aware that they’re not wanted 

[Luckies1874]

1 hour ago, Watt-Zeefuik said:

 

Oh sure. According to London Hearts from what I can see we've never in our history won three league games against them in a single season, but now when our captain, two best midfielders, and best defender are out, it's totally gonna happen.

 

Sure, I'll hope for the best. But I'd be good with a draw.

 

We won't be missing Shankland or Halkett. 

[Luckies1874]

2 minutes ago, Rudi5kaceldream1ng said:

Celtic are completely shite atm and getting pelters from their own fans left right and centre about lack of signings and hating the board. 

 

That entire club right now is a toxic mess and believe you me that absolutely does transmit down to the players on the pitch. 

 

They feel the contempt and the pressure from their own support. 

 

There's only so much firefighting auld Martin o Neil can do.

 

I get the feeling he's putting out fires with one hand and holding back a flood with the other. 

 

It's our job on Sunday to smash in their defences as they're seriously about to capitulate. 

 

 

They've also got a very important game on Thursday night which they can't rest players for. This 8 day break will do us the world of good. 

[Jacques de Gauthier]

1 hour ago, hearts_enthusiasts said:

we need to get behind the team from the start, getting behind them for every tackle to a goal, need to make it hostile for celtic, chanting all the old songs to get all 4 stands involved, biggest game of the season 

 

The booing of every St Mirren touch the other week was fantastic. Shame we couldn’t do it v Falkirk. Needs brought back. 

[Rudi5kaceldream1ng]

16 minutes ago, Luckies1874 said:

 

 

They've also got a very important game on Thursday night which they can't rest players for. This 8 day break will do us the world of good. 

Exactly. 

 

I'm not in the least bit over confident or complacent but I tell you what we've got nothing to fear from that shambles. 

 

Theyre a complete mess on and off the pitch and their own fans hate them. 

 

Rested. New players in.

 

Let's go. 

[Gershwin]

This Celtic team are pretty fragile. I don't I have ever been able to say that about them. Quite a few of them absolutely shat it at Tynecastle last time out. Hopefully we'll be targeting those players again.

[gregzy2k7]

I would go a 4-2-3-1

 

                    Schwolow 

Steinwender Halkett Findlay Milne 

           McEntee Magnusson 

       Chesnokov Braga Kyziridis 

                       Shanks

 

If Shankland not fit, then play Kabore up front.

[amadjambo]

Hope to god we don’t play a back 3. Could be a long afternoon if we do.

[Shankland31]

Doesn’t matter who we have fit or what formation we play. We have nothing to fear. If every player gives 100% and every fan in the crowd gives 100% we will beat them. Give them hell Jambos!

[Pasquale for King]

6 minutes ago, amadjambo said:

Hope to god we don’t play a back 3. Could be a long afternoon if we do.

I think we might as it seems Celtic are all about the crosses under the old/new interim manager.

[Jambof3tornado]

What we cannot keep being is wasteful in front of goal. Celtic had 1 chance v falkirk and took it,we missed several good chances the last few matches so shooting boots on please guys!!!!

[Masonic]

Schwolow

 

Altena

Halkett

Findlay

Milne

 

Chesnokov

Spittal

Magnusson

Kyzi

 

Braga

Shanks** Kabore if Shanks injured

[pettigrewsstylist]

Hopefully smashed in Bologna. We have proffed with scheduling there!

[Pasquale for King]

We need a quick start, keep the fans involved, an early goal would be ideal.

[Watt-Zeefuik]

1 hour ago, GBJambo said:

Halkett is fine . No one knows about Shankland yet 

 

That gives me a bit more hope.

 

Look, I'm not totally dour about this, but a draw spoils one of their best chances to close ground on us at a time when we're weak. It's not a bad result angling towards the final title run-in.

[Canscot]

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I would put this link in here. 
https://scottishsoccer.ca/

For Canadian Jambos. $7.99 per game or $79 or so for all games (involving other clubs I think) for the rest of the season, up to the split.  I think they are offering another package that covers the split games too. Might be an option for some on here. 

[Sub4TiddlerMurray]

Given the bodies we have missing, a draw would be a terrific result. Going after Celtic simply doesn’t make any sense. Maintaining a 6 point lead over them will affect their confidence and keep ours up. Ok the huns will probably gain some ground ut we have an awful lot more to lose if we get pumped.

 

We should use the best tools we have at our disposal: defenders. When McCart was subbed against st Mirren, for example, it opened up the back door for their goal, so he has to come back in. We need to deny Celtic any room on the deck. In short, a low block with the same back 5 we finished the Dundee game with. 

 

I'm not convinced that Shanks or McEntee are gonna make it but fingers crossed.

 

 

                    Schwolow 

Steinwender Kent Halkett Findlay McCart

       Spittal Magnusson Milne Kyziridis

                      Kabore/Braga 

                    

[The Black Prince]

Cammy to make all the difference with a Churchillian/William Wallace type speech at half time.

[Portable Badger]

8 minutes ago, The Black Prince said:

Cammy to make all the difference with a Churchillian/William Wallace type speech at half time.

Hope he does it before KO tbh - halftime might be too late!!

[1971fozzy]

Some saying a draw is ok ?  Get your big boy pants on. Thank fek the players and management don’t think like that Jesus.  Into them and batter them. 3-1 

Edited January 20 by 1971fozzy

[GinRummy]

23 minutes ago, 1971fozzy said:

Some saying a draw is ok ?  Get your big boy pants on. Thank fek the players and management don’t think like that Jesus.  Into them and batter them. 3-1 

Correct  They were utter pish against falkirk and fluked a win. They've got a tough european match on Thursday. Energy and desire will see us over the line on Sunday.

[John Findlay]

Show no fear, and little respect.

They are there to be beaten again.

[Keep the Heid]

Our lads will be back well rested on Sunday, been a great season so far and bar a really shit penalty we might have scraped through against Falkirk, we did not but that's gone now, I have seen us face Celtic in the past with an understrength team then get a great result, Tynecastle can be the difference, Celtic might have some new signings, that does not overly concern me, Martin O'Neill likes to sign absolute giants, so might see a few rather large framed centre halves or centre forwards lining up for Celtic, we should give them all a nice friendly welcome to Tynecastle  

[stirlo]

11 minutes ago, John Findlay said:

Show no fear, and little respect.

They are there to be beaten again.

 

I agree. I've rarely been confident of beating Celtic over the years but I don't get the fear from some of our fans about this fixture. Yes we've got some injury issues but this Celtic team are very average and will be coming off the back of a tough game against Bologna. We've definitely got the attacking players to damage them. 

[ScoPo]

11 hours ago, Gorgie_Rules said:

Has there been any news on McEntee?

 

If Magnussen turns in a performance the same as he did against Rangers then Beni/Devlin may not be missed as much as expected, he mopped up everything that game.

 

Wouldn’t be against Steinwender slotting in beside Hallket and Findlay to allow Milne and Altena more freedom, with Magnussen and ideally McEntee sitting in front, if not McEntee then Spittal, with the usual front 3 up top.

 

Got to remember we are up against a poor Celtic side by their usual standards, short-termish across the management and squad, heat on the board, small allocation, away in Bologna on Thursday night etc. There is alot still in our favour going into this one.

Problem with Magnusson is his tackling at times looks messy. 

 

 VAR may stand ready to potentially upgrade a yellow or two......

Edited January 20 by ScoPo

[wcjambo]

8 minutes ago, ScoPo said:

Problem with Magnusson is his tackling at times looks messy. 

 

 VAR may stand ready to potentially upgrade a yellow or two......

don't think his tackling is an issue, just he persistently does stupid wee fouls

 

[Radio-Braga]

10 hours ago, Jacques de Gauthier said:

 

The booing of every St Mirren touch the other week was fantastic. Shame we couldn’t do it v Falkirk. Needs brought back. 

I also enjoyed that. Only takes a few to start it round the ground. I’ll go for it on Sunday 🤣 

[Drylaw Hearts]

17 hours ago, indianajones said:

I'd be surprised if Shankland didn't start. He looked absolutely fine going off and on the bench. 

 

I really hope so anyway. 

He had to ask the Falkirk player to pass the ball out of play so he could leave the pitch……that would be a strange thing to do if he is absolutely fine.

 

 

[upgotheheads]

29 minutes ago, Rudi cant fail said:

While I do believe we will get better, there is no guarantees that they will ever be so poor. This could be our greatest chance. Rangers have already shown drastic improvement in a short period of time and Celtic will do a major overhaul. What we need to do is not judge next season on this. Wouldn’t be surprised if we are a fair bit behind both next season, at the same time I wouldn’t be surprised if we are right up there again, it’s going to be a bit of a rollercoaster over the next few seasons and there will be ups and downs. 

I'm not convinced Rangers have made much improvement. Livi were robbed against them, they were lucky to beat H1B5, and Celtic shot themselves in the foot. Otherwise they haven't been impressive. Celtic are on a bit of a run but they're nothing special. The ball's in our court, and we might be missing three top players, but if we can get a result with a weekend. squad against Celtic it could be a serious marker.

[DixieNormous]

they clearly have. 

[stirlo]

10 minutes ago, upgotheheads said:

I'm not convinced Rangers have made much improvement. Livi were robbed against them, they were lucky to beat H1B5, and Celtic shot themselves in the foot. Otherwise they haven't been impressive. Celtic are on a bit of a run but they're nothing special. The ball's in our court, and we might be missing three top players, but if we can get a result with a weekend. squad against Celtic it could be a serious marker.

 

Despite a 'terrible' start to the season Rangers have lost two league games all season - both to us. Perhaps they've been lucky in one or two games but this would suggest that if we're hoping for other teams to take a lot of points off them we're likely to be disappointed. You've also got to consider that they've brought in a few players already in the current window. IMO as things stand they're a considerably better team than Celtic.