DEREK McINNES’ Hearts will be in pole position in the Premiership when they face Celtic at Tynecastle a week today.
The Edinburgh club made certain of the No.1 spot with an impressive 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to go five points clear at the pinnacle.
Brendan Rodgers and his players know only a win over Dundee at Dens Park in the midday confrontation today will be good enough before they travel to the capital in seven days’ time.
McInnes’ team were in the spotlight when they squared up to Killie at a venue where the champions had struggled just over a month ago and had to rely on a stoppage-time penalty-kick winner from new Bhoy Kelechi Iheanacho for the crucial three points.
FLASHBACK…Brendan Rodgers consoles Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland after Celtic’s 4-1 win the last time they played at Tynecastle on November 23 2024.
There was little sign of Hearts failing in Ayrshire after some terrible defending from the hosts allowed the unmarked Craig Halkett to bullet in the first-half opener following a right-wing set-play.
Killie capitulated after the interval and gifted the visitors two more goals, both snapped up by the lively Claudio Braga.
It was the Gorgie team’s fourth successive clean sheet for the first time since season 2017/18 and things are literally looking up for the resurgent club.
McInnes will now focus totally on next weekend and admitted his players will be well primed for the ultimate domestic test.
The Hearts gaffer said: “I was getting asked loads about the game prior to this one, which was kind of annoying me a wee bit.
“This game needed our full attention, but now that we’ve won it, obviously we can look forward. The game will lend itself to a brilliant atmosphere.
“Of all the challenges we’ve had, and there have been many, and we keep coming up with answers at the minute and we need to maintain that, next Sunday is the toughest challenge of them all.”
McInnes, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “Any time you play Celtic, it’s the toughest challenge, but I think we’re going into it in a good place.
“Players should be pleased with their efforts, they should be pleased with their performance.
“The majority are playing at a high level at the minute.
“It’s just important that we’ve got recognise that the crowd will help us, the wins get into the game, the confidence will help us.
“However, we’ve got to keep maintaining and improving our performance if we’re going to try and beat a team like Celtic.”
