Opinion: Celtic battle against Hoops invincible could define key game

Celtic take on Hearts on Saturday knowing that a win will all but clinch the Premiership title. The ideal scenario for the Hoops would be an early goal which sets up a comfortable win, but going by the previous meetings between the teams this season it could be a tight game.

Hearts won the first meeting of the teams this season at Tynecastle 2-1, in what was the first game of the season. Since then, the Hoops won 1-0 at Celtic Park and 2-1 at Tynecastle, two vital wins.

What could define the upcoming game at Celtic Park is how Celtic fare against the man that will be in goals for Hearts, former Celtic invincible Craig Gordon.

Gordon has had an excellent season for Hearts, and was recently named as the Scottish football writers’ player of the year. He will no doubt be eager to put on a good performance to show that he was worthy of winning the award.

Celtic will hopefully be on the front foot for the majority of the game, and the Hoops will be looking to score an early goal which the team has managed to do in most of its’ most recent games, but not in the recent game against Rangers.

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An early goal against Hearts would allow the Hoops to settle into the game, and hopefully go from strength to strength, and look for another goal which would put Celtic in a great position.

Hearts won’t make it easy, as they are playing for places in the Scottish Cup Final line-up against Rangers later on this month. The Hoops will need to keep the chances that Hearts create to a minimum, whilst also making sure that the team finds the back of the net when up against Gordon.

You have to imagine that the Celtic players will be up for the game, and eager to get the three points which