| Match Details | Information |
| Competition | Premiership – (Scotland) |
| Round | 23 |
| Date & Time | 2026-01-25, 16:00 – (Include timezone BST/GMT). |
| Stadium | Tynecastle Park |
Prediction – Hearts 3 – 3 Celtic
Recent Form
Heading into their Premiership round 23 clash, Hearts and Celtic approach the encounter with contrasting recent performances. Hearts have shown resilience in their last five league outings, recording three victories. Notably, they secured a 3-2 triumph over local rivals Hibernian and a 2-1 victory against Rangers, demonstrating their capability to perform in high-stakes matches. However, their inconsistency is evident with losses to Dundee and Falkirk, both by 1-0 and 2-0 margins respectively. Such results suggest that while Hearts can be formidable, their form is somewhat unpredictable, particularly away from home.Celtic, on the other hand, have displayed a strong attacking prowess in recent matches, securing dominant victories including a 4-0 win over Dundee United and a 3-1 win against Aberdeen. Despite a 3-1 loss to Rangers, Celtic’s ability to score freely, as seen in their 4-2 victory against Livingston and a solid 2-0 away win over Motherwell, highlights their offensive capabilities. This suggests a team in robust form with a potent attack, although not invulnerable defensively as evident in their loss to Rangers.The head-to-head history between the two sides adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming match. Hearts have had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning the last two meetings, including an impressive 3-1 victory at home in October 2025. However, prior to these matches, Celtic dominated with three consecutive wins, indicating that while Hearts have recently found a way to overcome Celtic, the latter have a history of success in this fixture. This sets the stage for a compelling match at Tynecastle Park, with both teams having something to prove.
Hearts Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Dundee Vs Hearts | 1-0 | 0 – 1 | 2 – 0 | 6 – 4 | 14 – 13 | 53% – 47% | 0 – 1 |
| Hearts Vs Livingston | 1-0 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 3 | 7 – 3 | 15 – 5 | 63% – 37% | 1 – 0 |
| Hibernian Vs Hearts | 2-3 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 0 | 3 – 8 | 10 – 18 | 33% – 67% | 3 – 1 |
| Hearts Vs Rangers | 2-1 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 1 | 6 – 10 | 10 – 12 | 42% – 58% | 2 – 1 |
| Falkirk Vs Hearts | 2-0 | 0 – 0 | 2 – 2 | 3 – 7 | 9 – 11 | 47% – 53% | 0 – 1 |
Hearts have experienced a mixed bag of results in their last five league matches, showcasing both resilience and vulnerability. Their recent form includes two victories, a draw, and two losses, which evidences a team capable of competing against formidable opposition but still susceptible to lapses in performance. Notably, their victory against Rangers, a top-tier competitor, underscores their potential to punch above their weight, leveraging a clinical edge in front of goal despite conceding the majority of possession. This result was emblematic of their ability to execute a tactical game plan effectively, with key players stepping up at critical moments.The recent defeat to Dundee, however, highlights a contrasting narrative where Hearts struggled to impose themselves, particularly in maintaining discipline, as evidenced by a red card that may have influenced the match’s outcome. Such disciplinary issues can disrupt team cohesion and will need addressing, especially given Alexander Schwolow’s suspension. Their defensive unit, likely featuring Craig Halkett, Jamie McCart, Stuart Findlay, and Jordi Altena, will need to maintain focus to avoid similar pitfalls in upcoming fixtures.Offensively, Hearts have shown promise, as seen in their triumph over Livingston and the high-scoring affair against Hibernian. The presence of Lawrence Shankland in attack provides a reliable focal point for goalscoring opportunities. The midfield, including the likes of Beni Baningime, Cláudio Braga, and Cammy Devlin, has been instrumental in controlling the tempo and transitioning play, as highlighted by their high possession statistics against Hibernian and Livingston. This midfield dynamism will be crucial in dictating play, especially against teams that allow them space to operate.Going into their next match at Tynecastle Park, Hearts will likely adopt a strategy that balances defensive solidity with quick, incisive attacking transitions. With a predicted lineup featuring a blend of defensive robustness and midfield creativity, they will aim to capitalize on home advantage. The absence of Schwolow will require adaptability, but the squad’s depth provides options to fill the void. Overall, Hearts must focus on maintaining discipline and exploiting their attacking strengths to secure a positive result in this competitive fixture.
Celtic Last 5 League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Celtic Vs Dundee United | 4-0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 0 | 11 – 3 | 5 – 12 | 78% – 22% | 2 – 0 |
| Celtic Vs Rangers | 1-3 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 3 | 8 – 5 | 15 – 13 | 66% – 34% | 1 – 2 |
| Motherwell Vs Celtic | 0-2 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 4 | 1 – 3 | 14 – 7 | 43% – 57% | 1 – 0 |
| Livingston Vs Celtic | 4-2 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 0 | 11 – 4 | 6 – 13 | 34% – 66% | 1 – 3 |
| Celtic Vs Aberdeen | 3-1 | 0 – 1 | 1 – 2 | 8 – 4 | 13 – 12 | 73% – 27% | 3 – 1 |
Celtic’s recent performances in the Scottish Premiership have been a mix of commanding victories and disappointing setbacks. Their dominant 4-0 victory over Dundee United showcased their offensive prowess, with Celtic maintaining an overwhelming 78% possession and generating 11 corners. This match highlighted their ability to control the pace and dictate the game’s flow, capitalizing on their creative midfield and clinical finishing.However, this assertive style was not as effective against their arch-rivals, Rangers, where they fell 1-3. Despite maintaining 66% possession, Celtic struggled to convert their control into goals, suggesting a need for more incisiveness in the final third. The defeat against Livingston by 4-2 further exposed vulnerabilities, particularly in defense, where they were unable to manage Livingston’s counterattacks effectively, as seen by their inability to capitalize on their 66% possession.In their encounters against Motherwell and Aberdeen, Celtic displayed resilience and tactical flexibility. The 2-0 win at Motherwell was characterized by a more balanced approach, leveraging quick transitions and efficient passing, while the 3-1 victory over Aberdeen underscored their capability to exploit set-pieces and maintain composure under pressure, despite Aberdeen’s aggressive play.The current injury list, which includes key players like Jota and Shin Yamada, presents challenges in squad depth and attacking options. Nevertheless, the predicted lineup suggests a robust defensive structure with Kasper Schmeichel in goal and a solid backline led by Kieran Tierney. In midfield, the presence of Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate will be crucial in maintaining possession and orchestrating plays, while attackers Daizen Maeda and Hyun-jun Yang are expected to lead the charge up front.Overall, Celtic’s strategy will likely focus on maximizing possession and exploiting their wide players’ speed, while ensuring defensive solidity to avoid lapses that have cost them in previous matches. The blend of seasoned campaigners and young talents provides a dynamic edge, but consistency and clinical finishing will be key to their success in the upcoming fixture at Tynecastle Park.
Team News & Injuries
Hearts Injuries & Suspensions
- Alexander Schwolow (Red Card Suspension)
Celtic Injuries & Suspensions
- Callum Osmand (No Eligibility)
- Hayato Inamura (No Eligibility)
- Jota (No Eligibility)
- Shin Yamada (No Eligibility)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record & Summary
H2H Last 5
| Teams | Result | Red Cards | Yellow Cards | Corners | Free Kicks | Possession | Assists |
| Celtic Vs Hearts (07 Dec 2025) | 1-2 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 3 | 5 – 3 | 11 – 9 | 72% – 28% | 1 – 1 |
| Hearts Vs Celtic (26 Oct 2025) | 3-1 | 0 – 0 | 4 – 1 | 5 – 9 | 9 – 11 | 35% – 65% | 0 – 1 |
| Celtic Vs Hearts (29 Mar 2025) | 3-0 | 0 – 0 | 0 – 1 | 6 – 1 | 9 – 14 | 71% – 29% | 2 – 0 |
| Hearts Vs Celtic (23 Nov 2024) | 1-4 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 1 | 1 – 6 | 0 – 0 | 32% – 68% | 1 – 2 |
| Celtic Vs Hearts (14 Sep 2024) | 2-0 | 0 – 0 | 1 – 1 | 5 – 3 | 0 – 0 | 71% – 29% | 1 – 0 |
H2H Detailed Analysis
The head-to-head record between Hearts and Celtic over the last few meetings suggests a fascinating dynamic that could influence the upcoming clash at Tynecastle Park. Historically, Celtic have often dominated possession in their encounters with Hearts, frequently controlling over 70% of the ball, as seen in matches on December 7, 2025, and March 29, 2025. However, despite this dominance in possession, Hearts have shown resilience and the ability to upset the odds. Most notably, they secured victories in their last two encounters, winning 2-1 away at Celtic Park in December 2025 and 3-1 at home in October 2025. These results indicate that Hearts have found ways to exploit Celtic’s vulnerabilities, perhaps by effectively utilizing counter-attacks and set-pieces, which are often critical when a team is out-possessed but still manages to win.The upcoming match will also be shaped by significant absences and the predicted lineups for both teams. Hearts will miss the services of their goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow due to a suspension, potentially affecting their defensive stability. Meanwhile, Celtic face a more substantial challenge with several key players, including Jota and Shin Yamada, unavailable due to eligibility issues. This could impact Celtic’s attacking options and overall depth. However, with Kasper Schmeichel in goal and a strong defensive setup featuring Kieran Tierney and Auston Trusty, Celtic might look to maintain their structured play and high possession. Ultimately, the match may hinge on how effectively Hearts can convert their chances and how well Celtic can cope with their absentees while maintaining their typical possession-based approach. Given the recent form and historical context, this encounter promises to be a compelling tactical battle.
Predicted Lineups
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Players: TBC (Goalkeeper), Craig Halkett (Defender), Jamie McCart (Defender),Stuart Findlay (Defender), Jordi Altena (Defender),Beni Baningime (Midfielder), Cláudio Braga (Midfielder),Cammy Devlin (Midfielder), Tómas Bent Magnússon (Midfielder), Alexandros Kyziridis (Midfielder),Lawrence Shankland (Attacker)
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Players: Kasper Schmeichel (Goalkeeper),Liam Scales (Defender),Auston Trusty (Defender),Julián Araujo (Defender),Kieran Tierney (Defender),Arne Engels (Midfielder), Reo Hatate (Midfielder),Callum McGregor (Midfielder), Hyun-jun Yang (Attacker), Sebastian Tounekti (Attacker),Daizen Maeda (Attacker)