The Celts travel to the capital on Saturday to take on Hearts at Tynecastle as the club sides return to SPFL duty following the latest international break. The sides met at Celtic Park earlier in the season with two of the new Bhoys, Arne Engels from the spot, and Luke McCowan scoring their first goals for the club in the 2-0 win. That was just one of a string of losses for the Tynecastle side, but they’ve pulled in a few wins since the managerial change that saw Neil Critchley take up the reins. The Celts, though, have continued to rack up the points under Brendan Rodgers although the side are expecting a typically tough test at the Gorgie venue. The game, though, is just one of a raft of fixtures coming up on the festive calendar amid a heavy schedule. The manager said: “We’re in a really good place mentally and physically. ‘We’re playing well, playing at a really high level and we have a squad where I can change it about and freshen it up when we need to.’ “We’re excited by that challenge of game after game. “We have to play, we have to recover, and from a management and coaching perspective you’re then looking to make sure you get the balance right in the teams, to ensure we have the energy in the games. “But what is key is that you just look at the next game and that’s the mantra of any coaching manager. “I can’t think too far ahead. We can only think of Hearts and make sure we are ready physically and mentally for that one, then get ready for the next one.”Hearts, indeed, are next on the fixture list as the Celts look to further their championship credentials with another win. Brendan Rodgers added: ““I’m looking forward to it. It’s always an intense game and I think that Hearts, in terms of the position they are in, it doesn’t align with some of the performances they have had. “They’ve performed fairly well from what I’ve seen, but not quite got the results. “With Neil coming in, he’s an excellent coach who will look to organise them and get them working hard, and playing good football. “So, like in every game, we expect a tough game.” Watch the full interview to hear the manager on: The AGM European and domestic football Alistair Johnston’s new deal Greg Taylor Squad availability More on the game Keep up with the action on Saturday – Match Centre Training Gallery: Hearts v Celtic –
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