The talent at Tynecastle looks more than a match for Rodgers' sluggish Bhoys

Considering how often he’s been mentioned over the past few months, Tony Bloom does a decent job of making himself invisible.

Indeed, the last time we heard from the man at the heart of this Hearts title charge was shortly before their Premiership campaign kicked off.

It’s fair to say his assertion that this team would have a ‘very good chance of being at least second’ this season raised a few eyebrows.

The ambition of the club’s newest investor was admired in some quarters, sniggered at in others.

But when he takes his seat at Tynecastle this afternoon, he can look forward to watching a side who have — until now — done pretty much everything possible to prove him right.

Early days, of course, but Hearts are showing no signs of letting their five-point advantage over Celtic at the top of the table slip. And come full-time, would anyone be surprised if that margin hadn’t been extended?

Here, we run the rule over the men in maroon who can make that happen, and those looking to put them in their place.

Can makeshift defence keep Braga and Co quiet?

In Claudio Braga, Alexandros Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland, the league leaders have an attacking trio the envy of every team in the country — including Celtic.

A combination of Derek McInnes’ influence and a lack of attractive options elsewhere led to Shankland’s decision to sign a new deal, and it’s turned out well for both parties. The weight has seemingly been lifted off his shoulders.

It helps when he’s got Braga and Kyziridis around him. The summer arrivals — plucked from relative obscurity in Norway and Slovakia respectively — have been a revelation.

Braga is a pest. And that’s a compliment rather than a criticism.

His terrific double against Kilmarnock last weekend took his Premiership goal tally to five, capping off another performance full of the kind of endeavour and energy which has already earned him cult-hero status amongst the Hearts support.

It’s anyone’s guess who will get the nod to handle him today. Alistair Johnston’s long-awaited comeback from injury against Sturm Graz midweek was cut short within half an hour, while Cameron Carter-Vickers is facing months on the sidelines after damaging his Achilles tendon in the closing stages of that victory.

Teenager Colby Donovan will likely come in at right-back and, having shone away against Red Star Belgrade, at least won’t be fazed by a hostile Tynecastle crowd.

Who will partner Liam Scales? Auston Trusty has barely kicked a ball this season, and Dane Murray lacks big-game experience.

Maybe we’ll see Jahmai Simpson-Pusey. Although there’s probably more chance of Rodgers pulling on a jersey than the Manchester City loanee at this point.

Who will win the midfield battle?

In theory, Celtic’s midfield is the strongest area of the team. But something has been off all season. For whatever reason, the balance just hasn’t been there.

Legitimate questions are being asked of captain Callum McGregor, while Reo Hatate has yet to find any sustained form.

That being said, both were excellent on Thursday evening alongside Arne Engels. The Belgian has struggled to justify his hefty price tag, but he underlined his quality against the Austrians. There’s a player in there somewhere, Celtic fans just haven’t seen it enough.

The 22-year-old, however, won’t be afforded the same time to pull the strings at Tynecastle. Cammy Devlin will see to that.

The Australian is playing the best football of his Hearts career and, as his manager recently stated, has been the driving force behind their early season success, providing the platform from which his more creative colleagues can strut their stuff.

Can visitors breach record-setting rearguard?

Alexander Schwolow hasn’t taken long to write his name into the Hearts history books, becoming the first keeper to record clean sheets in each of his first four matches.

The German’s work is made a fair bit easier by having Stuart Findlay and Craig Halkett in front of him, mind you. Their goalscoring exploits at the other end have generated the headlines, but when it comes to the bread-and-butter stuff in their own box, the centre-half pairing have been every bit as important.

Halkett in particular is reaping the rewards for the hard yards put in over the past couple of seasons to get back to full fitness.

Celtic’s failure to adequately strengthen in attacking areas has already cost them dearly, and injuries to Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho have further compounded the problem.

Brendan Rodgers has frequently referenced the lack of pace up top, but, by his own admission, there’s no point in moaning about it now. He has to find solutions.

Johnny Kenny was bright against Sturm Graz. Indeed, he was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet. But let’s be brutally honest. Findlay and Halkett won’t have lost much sleep at the prospect of facing the Irishman.

Will reinforcement be required?

Good luck trying to predict who will feature on the Celtic bench given the uncertainty around the starting XI.

The question is, does Rodgers actually have anyone he can count on if he needs to change things up? James Forrest is probably the best bet, but that says much about where the Glasgow side are these days.

Yang Hyun-jun? Unlikely. Perhaps this could be an opportunity for Michel-Ange Balikwisha to finally make an impact.

Having Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo waiting in the wings is a luxury. But neither have done much — or nothing at all in the latter’s case — to inspire confidence lately.

McInnes has started the same side in each of the past four fixtures, meaning the likes of Alan Forrest, Blair Spittal and Pierre Landry Kabore can’t get a look-in. Decent options for the manager to have though.

As is Elton Kabangu. The forward netted six league goals on loan last term and would have been hoping to kick on after signing on a permanent deal. Braga’s form has put paid to that.

Squad depth isn’t an issue for Hearts. And the lack of European football this season could turn out to be a blessing in disguise if they are to go on and do the unthinkable by lifting the league trophy.