Celtic warned about Hearts revenge mission as O'Neill explains why last season's title charge isn't a one off
Hoops host the Jambos this Sunday in a repeat of last season’s title decider
Many of the big names of Hearts’ title challenge last season left the club in the summer - but Celtic boss Martin O’Neill is still expecting them to play with a point to prove when they meet in the Premiership for the first time since THAT day in May.
The Jambos headed to Celtic Park top of the league knowing a point would earn them their first league title in 65 years. For 87 minutes, they looked like they could get the job done, but a late Daizen Maeda strike and Callum Osmand breakaway finisher broke their hearts. The pitch invasion that followed left the match in a very sour taste for players and fans alike.
On Sunday, they travel to Parkhead for the first time since. They may have a new manager and captain but the wounds are still there, particularly from those who were present on May 16. Even new boss Wouter Vrancken, who was in his native Belgium for the game, is encouraging his side to use their disappointment as fuel for Sunday. The Celtic manager is expecting the same.
O’Neill expects Hearts reaction
He told BBC Sport: "I think it will be every bit as tough as it was on the last day of the season. I genuinely do [think they are title challengers]. I think they've got the capability, I know they've lost the two games, but overall, I do, I think they can challenge. I think they've got the pedigree, and I think they'll maybe want to change last season's results. I'm quite sure that those players who played in that game will have something to want to retrieve and certainly want to put right again."
The Jambos have started the campaign well and are currently third in the table. A win on Sunday would put them back within touching distance of the champions. Under a new regime, they had a shaky start, losing their league opener to Aberdeen and suffering a heavy defeat to Sturm Graz in Europe. But since then, they’ve five in the league, secured a spot at Hampden for the League Cup semi-final and earned UEFA Conference League football.
Hearts have came ‘roaring back’ - O’Neill
He continued: "It looks as if they've got over that disappointment because they've been roaring back. You know, you'd have thought opening the game of the season to lose that, they might, not so much crumble, but maybe feel as if they lost a couple of players and lost their manager, maybe thinking that it's not going to happen for them.”
Celtic head into Sunday with a point to prove themselves. O’Neill’s men must put behind them the Europa League hammering at the hands of Benfica on Thursday night. To add to this, if Rangers put the pressure on by beating Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday, they’ll go top - and will stay there if Celtic don’t win.
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