Hearts boss aims to beat Celtic in Scottish Premiership clash
Friday 25 December 2015 19:11, UK
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson believes his side are in a much better position to beat Celtic when the sides clash for the third time this season, live on Sky Sports 1 this Sunday.
The Jambos slipped to a 2-1 defeat when they hosted Celtic in the League Cup in October after earning themselves a creditable goalless draw in the Scottish Premiership the previous month.
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Celtic have won just twice in their last six matches in all competitions but Neilson is under no illusion about how difficult it will be to defeat Ronnie Deila's men at Tynecastle this weekend.
"I think you are always wary of Celtic no matter if they have won or lost the week before," Neilson told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Yes they have had a little bit of a difficult patch but they are still a fantastic team and they have got good players.
"I think we have progressed from last year. Last year we were in the Championship and we played them at home and we got beaten 3-0. This season we got beaten 2-1 at home and drew with them at Parkhead so we are definitely progressing.
"Hopefully we can progress again and get maximum points on Sunday."
Neilson was talking to Sky Sports News HQ live from the club's training ground on Christmas morning where he was putting his players through their paces ahead of this weekend's eagerly anticipated clash with the champions.
"It's just a normal session two days before a game," he said. "It's part and parcel of playing football. We've got a huge game against Celtic on Sunday and it's important we prepare properly.
"You get used to it [training on Christmas Day] and the players have done it for a long time. For a couple of younger guys it's the first time they have done it but it's part and parcel of playing football in Britain. You have to play right through the festive period.
"But it's going to be a great game with a good atmosphere. It's a sell-out so it's a fantastic game to be involved in and hopefully we can take maximum points and get ourselves pushing up the league again."
Neilson, whose side currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership, said his first priority is to try and ensure Hearts finish in the top six this season. But the 35-year-old suggested the club could be active when the transfer window opens next month in order to sustain Hearts' impressive league form this term.
"We are looking at some players at the moment but it's important we get value for money," he said.
"There are a couple of guys out there who we think can add value but it's just a case of trying to get things done.
"It's not the case that we need to move people out. We've waited, we've kept some money in the budget but it will only be for the right player."
Watch Hearts v Celtic on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 1.30pm.
