Scottish Premiership picks: Intriguing Tynecastle tussle as Hearts try to halt Celtic & Kyogo
- Published
Game of the weekend - Hearts v Celtic
Brendan Rodgers makes his first trip to Tynecastle in more than five years as the Premiership weekend comes to a close with a cracker on Sunday afternoon.
It's a ground at which the Northern Irishman had mixed fortunes at during his first spell with Celtic, winning three - one of which clinched a league title - and losing two of his five visits to Gorgie.
In fact, those two Tynecastle defeats make up 25% of the eight Premiership losses he has suffered as Celtic boss and this week he stressed the "difficult" challenge his side will face in the capital.
A 4-0 stuffing in December 2017 ended a record-breaking 69-game unbeaten run under Rodgers, but since then, it's been just two Hearts wins in 22 meetings across all competitions.
With three victories from eight league matches this term, and a trip to Ibrox to come after hosting Celtic, Steven Naismith's side have shown signs of clicking into gear but remain inconsistent.
A statement result on Sunday may well kick serious life into a stuttering start, but it will take a monumental effort against a Celtic side who have dropped just two points from a possible 24 this season.
Can Hearts halt Kyogo's remarkable record?
Frankie Kent has been well warned about the danger posed by Kyogo Furuhashi. Now he's tasked with doing something about it.
Kyogo boasts an incredible record against Hearts. Since making his Celtic debut off the bench in a 2-1 defeat in Gorgie in July 2021, the 28-year-old has faced the Tynecastle men seven times and scored in them all, with his side winning the lot.
Hearts summer signing Kent, 27, comes up against the Japan striker for the first time on Sunday.
"I've played against very good strikers constantly, whatever level you're at each one offers something else, something different, they all have their strengths and weaknesses," said the centre-back.
"It's difficult for me because I haven't seen loads of him Kyogo, I've only seen the highlights, but I know he's a good player and all of the boys have said how sharp he is.
"You just have to do the best you can, be on your A game and stay concentrated, that's what I'll be trying to do.
"It isn't all about one striker or me, or someone else, or individuals, it's going to be about the team performance and hopefully we can get that on Sunday."
Team news
Yutaro Oda and Alex Cochrane both return for Hearts after being sidelined since last month.
Craig Gordon (leg) and Craig Halkett (knee) are back in training after lengthy absences but still unavailable for selection, while Nathaniel Atkinson (ankle), Stephen Kingsley (groin) and Barrie McKay (knee) are out.
Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda has shaken off a knock and defender Maik Nawrocki might feature in the squad following two months out with a hamstring injury. Stephen Welsh (ankle) and Liel Abada (thigh) remain out.
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