Martin O'Neill has identified Hearts as a genuine challenger to Celtic's Premiership dominance ahead of their meeting this weekend. The Celtic manager highlighted the Edinburgh club's improved recruitment and systematic approach as key factors in their rise.
O'Neill said Hearts have put to bed any hangover from last season and are roaring back with a clear plan. He pointed to the system in place, similar to that used at Brighton, and their scouting of the European scene as reasons for their strength. The manager expressed admiration for the way Hearts stuck at it throughout the last campaign, taking the title race to the final minutes before Celtic clinched it on the last day.
He acknowledged that Hearts lost manager Derek McInnes and key players like Lawrence Shankland to Rangers in the summer. However, O'Neill said the essence of the club remains strong and he does not expect a different challenge when they visit Parkhead on Sunday. He agreed with Brighton chief Tony Bloom's belief that Hearts are likely to be champions within the next decade, calling their potential success a great thing for Scottish football from a neutral viewpoint.
Hearts' summer losses and ongoing ambition
Despite the significant summer exodus to Ibrox, O'Neill insists Hearts are still a strong challenge. The club came agonisingly close to winning their first championship since 1960 last May, topping the table for most of the term. Tony Bloom, who has invested heavily and whose Jamestown Analytics firm supports their recruitment, has outlined a ten-year plan for the club to be crowned champions. Under new boss Wouter Vrancken, Hearts sit third in the table and are competing in the Europa Conference League group stages.
Broader context and Celtic's current form
O'Neill's comments come as his Celtic side prepare to host this grudge match while leading the Premiership. Celtic are first with 21 points from eight games, but their recent form shows vulnerability with just one win in their last five matches across all competitions. That run includes a 4-1 defeat to Benfica in midweek and a loss to Rangers last month. They hold a two-point lead over their Glasgow rivals but face a Hearts side aiming to prove O'Neill's point. The next fixture is a key home game against the third-placed Edinburgh club, a match that could have early implications for the title race.
Celtic will look to top scorer Camilo Duran, who has four goals this season, to help steady the ship. The team's defensive record of just four goals conceded in the league remains a strong foundation. The match at Parkhead this weekend represents the first meeting since that incredible final day last May, where Callum Osmand's goal completed Celtic's turnaround to secure the title.
Read the full report at Daily Record Football
