Kye Rowles prepared for 'cheeky' Celtic dig from Aaron Mooy as Hearts defender eyes Aussie bragging rights

Kye Rowles reckons Aaron Mooy might give him a subtle dig if they get close to each other when Hearts do battle with Celtic.

The pair play each other in the Premiership on Wednesday and then again on Saturday with a Scottish Cup semi-final place on the line. It's a chance for Hearts to cement their grip on third spot but they'll know how hard that will be away to a side who've dropped just four points all season. Rowles was at the World Cup with Celtic midfielder Mooy and they will likely link up again on Australia duty during the next international camp.

Robbie Neilson's centre-back wants the bragging rights heading into the camp even if any exchanges on opposing sides are in good faith. He told the Edinburgh Evening News: “Aaron will leave it and see us after the game. If we get close enough on a set-piece, he might have a cheeky little dig.

"I haven’t heard from him yet but I’m sure we’ll get a good chat tonight. Us Aussies are pretty friendly towards each other.

"We are also very competitive, as much as I love all the other Aussies, I want to beat them just as bad. Just so you have the bragging rights over them, there is definitely a bit of that. Then, when you go into an international camp, you can give it: ‘We did you lot last game.’ That kind of stuff.

“We have a camp coming up so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give it a good crack this week and make something happen. Celtic are on a roll so it would be good to push them a few extra yards in these two games, we are up for it and we will give it a good crack.”

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