This season, Hearts has been the bright spot because the Edinburgh team has emerged as Celtic’s main rival.
Both Celtic and Derek McInnes’ team have an undefeated start to the season, and they are tied for second place in the Scottish Premiership standings on goal differential.
Hearts are now being questioned about whether they can maintain this form to support Brendan Rodgers all the way, much like Aberdeen did when they pushed Celtic in the first half of the previous season.
Charlie Mulgrew has given the Tynecastle investor and manager a sobering reminder of the realities of facing Celtic for the championship, even though Tony Bloom’s remarks about Hearts challenging Celtic still have resonance with his supporters.
Charlie Mulgrew, a Celtics player, warns Derek McInnes that the Hearts’ title challenge will “fall away”.
Hearts and Celtic don’t play until October 26th, although both teams have three league games to complete before then.
However, Mulgrew believes that if the expectation to keep up with Celtic increases, Hearts’ performance would inevitably “fall away.”
On talkSPORT, Mulgrew responded, “I don’t think so,” in response to Alan Brazil’s question about if Hearts could continue the challenge. Listen, Del’s [McInnes] a good manager, and they’ve got a good start. They’re playing for him.
“I simply believe they will disappear. Celtic and Rangers are not the same as the expected teams, such as Hearts, Hibs, and Aberdeen.
Rangers and Celtic supporters expect you to win each and every week. And I believe that eventually, it kind of wins out because the pressure from the Glasgow crowd and the intensity there may push you to reach new heights and get outcomes.
At Hearts and Hibs, I don’t believe things are quite the same. It’s acceptable for them to lose a game and draw a couple others. Therefore, I doubt that they will remain up there.
And pay attention: if they disprove my assertions and elevate Scottish football to a more thrilling product, hopefully teams will emerge to challenge Celtic and Rangers.
But this year, I simply cannot see it. Rangers will start to improve now that they’ve defeated Hibs, but I believe Hearts will have a strong season and neither Celtic nor Rangers will be split.
Celtic vs. Hearts in the next three Scottish Premiership games
As was already noted, Celtic and Hearts have three games left before their matchup in the capital at Tynecastle next month.
This is a comparison of their fixtures.
The next three Scottish Premiership games for Celtic
Saturday, September 27: Hibernian vs. Celtic
Sunday, October 5th: Motherwell vs. Celtic
Sunday, October 19: Celtic vs. Dundee
Rodgers Bhoys have two home games and a challenging away match against Dundee. What about Hearts?
The three Scottish Premiership games that Hearts have left before playing Celtic
Saturday, September 27: Falkirk vs. Hearts
Saturday, October 4th: Hibernian vs. Hearts
Saturday, October 18: Hearts vs. Kilmarnock
Hearts have by far the most difficult schedule of the two clubs, and if McInnes’ team can stave off the Hoops until the big game at the end of October, fans will see it before the Celtic match.
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