Hearts manager Derek McInnes is challenging his players to beat Celtic again and “strike a direct challenge” in the title race.
The Jambos are six points clear at the top of the Premiership going into Sunday’s game at Tynecastle Park, live on Sky Sports.
They have already beaten the Hoops both home and away, leading the league since the start of the season.
Sunday, January 25, 2:30 p.m
Start at 15:00
Hearts are unbeaten in the Premiership at home this season, but McInnes is refusing to dwell on what has happened so far.
“I think it’s a good reference point for us, the fact that this group of players have already shown they can win games like this,” he told Sky Sports News.
“Obviously Sunday is a different game and Celtic under Martin. Obviously I haven’t struggled against Martin as a manager, I’ve gone up against him often enough as a player and Celtic are also second.
“It’s a tough game for us, but it’s going to be the same for them. We’re looking forward to it. It’s another opportunity to try and hit a direct opponent that’s in and around us in the league.
“I think any time you can beat a team of Celtic’s quality, at any time, it gives you the confidence to go on. So we’re looking forward to the game for a lot of reasons.”
Hearts captain Laurence Shankland will miss up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury
Hearts will be without several key players for the game. Lawrence Shankland is out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury, he joined midfielder Cammy Devlin and defender Stephen Kingsley on the sidelines.
Benny Bunninghame is suspended after receiving a red card in the win against St Mirren earlier this month.
“There’s no getting away from it, but I have to try and concentrate on the players who are fit and available and be ready for that,” McInnes added.
“Losing key players is part of it. You have to try to deal with it throughout the season.
“We’ve got a lot of injuries going on at the moment, and it’s not ideal. Some will focus on key players like Lawrence and Cammy and others, but we’re just trying to get through the situation at the moment when we can deal with the injuries, which is a test.
Hearts will be without midfielders Cammy Devlin (left) and Benny Benninghame against Celtic
“It’s a long season and you’ve got to deal with these in a minute and we’ll deal with them.”
“We feel like we’ve got good players in the building, and whenever there’s disappointment for certain players with a longer-term injury, then that presents an opportunity.”
“It’s not all doom and gloom, and it’s easy to feel a bit negative, but for us it’s a chance to react in the window, an opportunity to try and ask others to step up.”
“It’s important for us to stay positive because on Sunday we will need everything we have as a club to try and win.”
Shankland’s injury means Vadara striker Rodgers Mato will join the club this month instead of flying, which was the original plan.
The 22-year-old, who has played 41 times for Uganda, has scored 12 goals in 13 games for the North Macedonian club this season.
Rodgers Mato will join Hearts this month
“He’ll be here in the window. The question is whether we can get him in time for the weekend, which we’re obviously working on,” the former Aberdeen boss added.
“We haven’t ruled it out, but big job for the club to be able to bring the boy with us for the scouting, for the campaign, so I think that’s important.
“The good thing is, if you’re going to get injured, at least we’re doing it in the month of January, we’ll have a chance to react to it.”
“We’ll just sit tight, me and Graeme Jones (Hearts sporting director), we’ll just try to actively see if we can get reinforcements and see where we are.”