Celtic make the trip to Tynecastle in a few hours for a tricky showdown against Hearts, with Brendan Rodgers’ unbeaten run with Celtic in the league on the line.
After eight games, Celtic are four points ahead of Rangers in the Premiership table, after they beat Hibernian 4-0 yesterday in Philippe Clement’s first game in charge – Legendry manager, Martin O’Neill had a blunt message for the newcomer.
Of course, the Bhoys can restore that lead back to seven, with the ever-improving Reo Hatate and the returning Cameron Carter-Vickers expected to start.
The Celtic duo were discussed by Barry Ferguson, who feels they are ‘important’ players in the squad and two individuals who would ‘strengthen any team’, as he told Go Radio.
There was talk in the summer of Reo Hatate possibly doing just that when his future was in doubt.
But he put pen to paper on a new deal and since then, he has seemingly taken his game up another level, including scoring two and assisting one in his last three league games.
Either way, they were two players who were highly spoken about by Barry Ferguson.
“I just think the quality Celtic have got, you seen them before the international break,” said Ferguson. “You can see the confidence starting to rise.
“Then obviously important players, such as Carter-Vickers and Hatate, who would strengthen any team.”
When the former Tottenham man was out of action at the start of the campaign, many would have thought that his absence would have had some sort of effect.
When it comes to league matters, it had none whatsoever and it’s a credit for those who have stepped in and proved their worth, including Rodgers in the dugout.
None other than Liam Scales, who should start alongside Carter-Vickers for the trip to Hearts, because he has been simply outstanding and deserves all the positive noise heading his way.