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Derek McInnes believes his Hearts side are ready to test their title credentials against Celtic in today’s mouthwatering Tynecastle clash against the reigning champions.
The Edinburgh club can move eight points clear at the top of the Premiership table when they host Brendan Rodgers’ injury-hit side in a high noon showdown in Gorgie.
The arrival of McInnes, investor Tony Bloom and some impressive summer signings such as Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis had filled Hearts fans with belief that their team could seriously improve on last season’s seventh-placed finish.
Following a stunning start to the campaign that has helped them collect 22 points from eight games — with their only ‘setback’ seeing them come from three goals down to draw with Motherwell — excited supporters have now reset their hopes to a lasting title challenge.
While keen not to ramp up the hype too far, McInnes admits his side have been developing nicely for the visit of Celtic.
‘I think we feel ready, I think the supporters feel ready for it, Tynecastle will be ready for it,’ said the former St Johnstone, Bristol City, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager. ‘Regardless of what we’ve done in the previous games, and there’s been some good performances up until now, it doesn’t guarantee anything.
Derek McInnes is quietly confident his side can record a statement win against visitors Celtic
Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland have been in fine form and will be key men again
Celtic have been dealt another injury blow with the news that Carter-Vickers is sidelined
‘When you play Celtic, you’ve got to be on point. We’re going to have to play really well to get anything from the game, but we’re looking forward to it. It is an opportunity, and we believe there’s a performance in us that can win the game.
‘We’ve got to try and maintain good levels, keep trying to improve and see where it takes us. But I do think a good gauge of that will come against Celtic.’
McInnes is paying little attention to suggestions that Rodgers’ side are a fading force this season.
Celtic have failed to score in six of their matches — a higher tally than the whole of last season — and will be without the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho as well as long-term absentee Jota at Tynecastle.
‘Whoever we play, I don’t care whether they’re in good form or poor form,’ added McInnes.
‘We recognise that Celtic are a tough game for us. It always is. I’ve played against Brendan’s teams often enough and he’s such a top manager, top operator, and Celtic are littered with top players, so we’ve got our work cut out to get a result.
McInnes is refusing to get carried away but is fully aware of the magnitude of the Celtic clash
‘All I’m focusing on is us trying to be the toughest opponent for them and make sure our performance gives us a chance. I can’t be dependent on any opponent, whether they’re poor or whether they’re strong.
‘Sometimes, like every other team, they might not be on point, but for us, it’s up to us to be fully concentrated in the game and try to impose ourselves on the game.’
Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti is taking the challenge of Hearts very seriously.
‘They have shown that they are a really good team,’ said the Tunisian. ‘For us, every game is really serious, so we have to take everyone serious. If it’s Hearts or Rangers or Dundee, we have to take everyone serious.
‘It’s going to be a massive game at a difficult place, but we’re going to go there to get a result.
‘Every game when you play for Celtic is really important. When you play for Celtic, it’s a massive club, you have to win every game, you have to play well every game, so every game is really important.
‘But of course, it’s maybe something different because they are doing well and they are in first place at the moment, so it’s going to be a good game.’
