Celtic 2 Hearts 0 LIVE as Kyogo itching to grab his hat-trick at Parkhead

Cammy Devlin is yellow carded for a lunging tackle.

Matt O’Riley sees the tackle coming but a real needless challenge from the Hearts man in a dangerous position.

Nicolas Kuhn finds O’Riley out wide who superbly cuts across the ball on the half volley into the danger zone with Kyogo inches away from contact as Zander Clark gathers.

The visitors enjoy a nice spell with the ball and pop it around.

But a cross into the box drifts into the hands of Joe Hart.

Bar his superb first half stop, the veteran No1 has not had too much to do yet this afternoon.

Celtic are out the traps earlier looking for that game-killing third goal.

Kyogo and Reo Hatate link up inside the penalty area but Zander Clark turns the ball away with his feet.

Matt O’Riley then tries from the edge of the area but the deflected shot goes out for a corner.

Time to get those half-time refreshments.

That was a non-stop 45 minutes and you would put your money on for more of the same.

As things stand Celtic will move six points clear at the summit ahead of Rangers’ clash with Kilmarnock tomorrow.

Kyogo is on the hunt for a hat-trick this afternoon and he was not far away from it.

After popping the ball side to side the Hoops force the opening but Zander Clark pulls off a stunning diving save to deny the Japan international.

Huge moment at the end of the half from the Hearts No1.

We are into the additonal time at the end of the first half.

It’s been an eventful opening 45 minutes.

Zander Clark pushes a low Matt O’Riley effort away after great football from the hosts.

He’s kept his side in it in the final moments of the first half.

Celtic have enjoyed the bulk of the ball in the last couple of minutes.

Nicolas Kuhn and James Forrest have both been direct in their running.

The Hoops’ double hero from last week draws a foul on the edge of the area.

Matt O’Riley’s delivery was well kept in by Laim Scales and the Hoops kept up the pressure but in the end it is well defended.

Good pressure from the home side.

We into the final 10 minutes of the first half here.

Incredibly we’ve already had 11 corners in the match as both teams look to attack and cause problems.

Kyogo’s two goals remains the difference with the Hoops star man looking back to his best this afternoon.

Two chances two goals.

That’s all Kyogo has needed this afternoon with the Hoops in control at the halfway point of the first period.

Hearts will be shellshocked to find themselves with a huge mountain to climb.

They’ve played quite well in the opening period but it seems every chance the Hoops create is going in the net.

It is the first caution of the afternoon and it goes to Hearts.

Lawrence Shankland is the man in the book.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has a good chance from a corner to double Celtic’s advantage but his header goes over.

He will be disappointed not to have tested Zander Clark.

James Forrest keeps the pressure on and earns another corner.

But the visitors clear the danger after good defending from Frakie Kent

Joe Hart shows his class with a brilliant diving save to deny Cammy Devlin.

The veteran has come up with a lot of big saves in this title race.

That could prove to be another vital one in the early exchanges at Parkhead.

Hearts once again find joy down the right attacking side and earn a corner.

The Jambos challenge but the Hoops clear for a third set piece in opening ten minutes.

But once again the home defence stand tall and clear the danger.

Lawrence Shankland has scored three times against Celtic this season.

And with just over a minute on the clock he was close to No4.

The Hearts skipper collected the ball on the edge of the box but his shot was blocked and out for a corner.

Fast start for the visitors!

Brendan Rodgers delivers his pre-match views to BBC Scotland ahead of facing Hearts.

We are at the point in the season where every game is exciting, we know what we have to do. The players are feeling good. Three of our last four games are at home. We’re in a really good place, now we have to perform. There’s no doubt, we look to perform well today, get the result, then that’ll always put pressure on a rival.

It’s a huge boost. [Daizen Maeda return] We were a wee bit concerned when he first had his injury. He hasn’t missed a lot of time, it looks like he’s never been away.

We are edging closer and closer to kick-off.

Stick with us as we bring you all the key updates from this huge Scottish Premiership clash.

This is the time to grab that cup of tea before strapping yourself in for the next 90-plus minutes.

He has been a real stalwart this season. He has played a lot of games, a lot of minutes. When lots of the players were breaking down earlier in the season he was there for us the whole time. So I’m delighted for him because last summer it was probably in doubt where he was going to play.

Hopefully this summer he can end a winner and an international football player, having signed a new deal. It’s a great reward for his work over the course of the season.

I am really pleased for him, because he loves being here. He’s dug us out of a hole for a lot of this season when we have had a lot of inconsistencies in that position. I’m delighted he feels rewarded for that.

Liam Scales has been a surprise package at Celtic this season and he will be hanging around long-term.

His future was up in the air in the summer before an SOS call ended with him being an ever-present for Brendan Rodgers.

He has been rewarded with a new four-year deal with the champions already eyeing up the next player they want to tie down.

That man? Greg Taylor. Rodgers make his feeling clear in his press duties ahead of facing Hearts.

I would love to keep Greg here. It’s something we have spoken on. It’s obviously with the club and the agent to try and resolve. But in the meantime Greg’s focus is very much on the team. I really like him as a person, he is a good guy and very hungry and committed and professional. He sacrifices a lot in his life to be a footballer and that’s the kind of people you want here. So, yeah, hopefully something can be resolved on him.

We are just 35 minutes away from the action getting underway at Parkhead..

Both sets of players are going through their pre-match preparations ahead of the 3pm kick-off.

As we told earlier, Daizen Maeda will start on the BENCH for Celtic this afternoon.

His appearance on the team sheet will come as a real boost to the Hoops faithful with a big few weeks on the horizon.

Having those results against Celtic in the past builds confidence. We’ve went on to build confidence. Tomorrow will be slightly different because of the stage of the season we’re at. The outcome of these games have big impacts.

I’m sure with Celtic being in pole position for the title, they’ll want to come and tick this game off. One slip in a title race can cost you. When you play the Old Firm, you’ve got to be comfortable with understanding the whole game.

You need to understand the dynamic of the crowd and how you can effect that. Your defensive actions have to be good because you’re going to have to defend at times. But when you have possession, you need to be able to go and give a bit back because you can’t afford to give it away. If you do that right, you can turn the home crowd in your favour and upset things in your favour.

Hearts have done well this season. We played a very good game against them earlier in the season. For various reasons, the other two were not so good, but this is us at home now in the final stretch of the season, super-motivated and hungry to play well, and if we can do that and play well, then we want to be able to pick up three points.

The fans play a huge part and I think that has been the difference over the last few months – how everything has been connected – because they, along with ourselves, the staff, our connection to the team, it’s a real extension of what we see on the field, and that support they give the team is unrivalled when everyone’s onside and they’re with us. So to have that in three of the last four games at home will be special.

We’ll also need that patience as well because teams are not going to turn up and roll over, so we’re going to have to be patient in the stands as well as on the field, but obviously looking to play our game with that speed and tempo, and causing difficult moments for the opposition. But to play at home, on the pitch, with the crowd, hopefully we can take that advantage with us.

Kenny Miller reckons Celtic should move for Adam Idah – but only if the price is right.

Speaking to BoyleSports who offer the latest Old Firm odds, the former Hoops striker delivered his view on his loan spell and what his old should do in the summer with regards to his future.

I think he has added something, bringing pace and power up top. You can go back to that last Old Firm game at Ibrox, where Rangers changed to high-line to chase the game, then Idah came on for Kyogo to be a more physical presence.

There’s no doubt that a player who plays the way he does, with the attributes he has, is always going to be a handful and he has displayed that since arriving at Celtic. He may not have been first choice, but he has had to compete with Kyogo, who is without a doubt first-choice after the impact he’s made in two years at Celtic. On the big occasions, he has been the go-to guy, be it Old Firm games, Cup finals etc.

Any time Idah has started ahead of him, he’s always been under more pressure to perform because of the fact he is replacing Kyogo. I think he has done pretty well since coming in, and I think Celtic would look to retain him if the price was right. However, I think it may end up being just too much money for them – especially if he’s still viewed as second-choice behind Kyogo.

Lawrence Shankland will have his eyes firmly set on 30 goals this season.

The Hearts skipper has 21 in the Scottish Premiership with 28 in all competitions for the Jambos.

A lot of talk has surrounding the Scotland international and his future with his deal entering the final 12 months and no word on an agreement in the capital.

But he has blocked out all that noise to produce once again when it matters.

He will be key to any hopes of a Hearts upset once again in Glasgow and Celtic fans will be more than wary if he gets a sight at goal after scoring three times against the Hoops already this season.

James Forrest keeps his starting spot after his double downed Dundee at Dens Park.

Daizen Maeda is back fit and available but Brendan Rodgers has opted to hold him back and name him on the bench.

Skipper Callum McGregor continues to up his fitness and minutes following injury and he will be desperate for the 90.

A big afternoon for the players to stake a claim ahead of a huge few weeks in the season.

Here’s a quick look at Celtic and Hearts’ last five Premiership results ahead of this one..

Dundee 1 Celtic 2

Celtic 3 St Mirren 0

Rangers 3 Celtic 3

Livingston 0 Celtic 3

Celtic 3 St Johnstone 1

Kilmarnock 0 Hearts 0

Hearts 4 Livingston 2

St Mirren 1 Hearts 2

Hearts 1 Kilmarnock 1

Ross County 2 Hearts 1

Celtic and Hearts have arrived at Parkhead as the countdown to kick-off continues.

We are less than 90 minutes away from the first whistle with team news due in the next 10-15 minutes..

Celtic have been priced heavy favourites to bag all three points.

Bet365 have a home win down at 2/9 while a draw is available at 11/2.

A third Hearts win over the Hoops this season and second at Parkhead can be backed at a big 11/1 price.

Kenny Miller has also been speaking up the Celtic boss and reckons Brendan Rodgers is in the SAME bracket as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

And he has admitted it would take an ‘incredible knock-back’ from the Hoops gaffer if Chelsea turned their attentions to him as a potential replacement if the axe falls on Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.

Rodgers is hoping to land a domestic double in the coming weeks and a big result against Hearts will be the first part of making that dream a reality and it would also heap the pressure on Rangers ahead of their clash with Kilmarnock tomorrow.

Brendan Rodgers arrived at Swansea City nearly 14 years ago and found success by taking inspiration from BARCELONA.

Pep Guardiola’s superb on the eye football caught the imagination of the current Celtic boss and he was determinded to implement it on his City side.

And as fate would transpire, a former player of the La Liga giants in the shape of Andrea Orlandi was on his books and he detailed the love that the Northern Irishman had for the iconic Spanish outfit.

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Kevin Clancy will be the man in the middle at Parkhead this afternoon.

He will be assisted by Daniel McFarlane and Chris Rae with Colin Steven taking on fourth official duties.

VAR will be operated by Nick Walsh with Gary Hilland on assistant duties.

The team will be hoping for less drama than the last meeting between the pair that resulted in penalties at both ends and a red card for Yang.

A lot of controversy and discussion between pundits, ex-pros and supporters followed that Tynecastle clash with the latest SFA VAR clanger sheet with TWO of the three big calls included but NOT the Yang one.

So Celtic go into the game in a matter of hours leading Rangers at the summit by three points.

Victory over Hearts would put them six clear ahead of Philippe Clement’s men playing Kilmarnock tomorrow.

Defeat or a draw and the Light Blues would have the chance to make up some ground ahead of the derby next week.

For Hearts – they will finish third – but they can make sure of it mathematically on their own merit by upsetting the Hoops once again.

Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic playing first this weekend can give them an advantage over Rangers in the title race.

The champions welcome Hearts to Parkhead in a fixture that will carry some trepidation. The Jambos have beaten the Hoops home and away in their last two meetings and with the season now well and truly in the home straight, and slip ups now could be fatal for Celtic’s title hopes.

Rangers are also facing tricky foes with Kilmarnock the visitors to Ibrox. Michael Beale’s side lost the opening game of the campaign at Killie and there’s a feeling that if either half of the Old Firm are going to drop points in the run in when not facing each other, then this opponent could be one of them. The last time Celtic were first to play, they did the business against St Mirren and watched Rangers fluff their lines against Ross County the following day.

I can sit here and lie and say no, but scoreboard pressure is always there. But it doesn’t count for nothing if you don’t do the job. If you’re playing second, of course you’ll know the other teams result. But in the Premiership, you have to focus on yourself. But it can definitely add weight, especially at this time of the season.

Should Celtic wide man James Forrest be part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the Euros?

CRAIG SWAN: Forrest is definitely worth a shout. It could all depend on the final five games and if Forrest can fire Celtic to a double then why would you not take an experienced player in form.

ANDY NEWPORT: Yes. His experience and ability to cover a couple of slots could be vital, especially if Hickey and Patterson miss out through injury.

MICHAEL GANNON: Clarke could do worse than taking Forrest along for the ride, especially with some injury issues. Scotland don’t have much width and he can also play wingback or even up front. Get him on the plane.

Steven Naismith has urged fearless Hearts to ramp up the title stress on Celtic.

The Tynecastle boss wants his side to rack up a hat-trick against the champions. And Naismith knows the pressure of the flag fight could have a bearing on proceedings in Glasgow’s East End. The hosts are desperate to stay in pole position for the Premiership crown. But Naismith is aware that could significantly alter the dynamic of the contest. Hearts have won the last two meetings.

This is probably different to the other games we’ve had against them because of where we are at in the season. We know it will be a really tough game. Celtic have had a couple of results that haven’t gone their way and then it has turned into a title race. That pressure will be there and we have got to try to use that. At this stage, with four games to go, they are in the best position to win the league. That’ll be their motivation, just need to keep winning.

Chris Sutton is taking nothing for granted when it comes to his old club today and there is a very good reason for that – Lawrence Shankland.

The former Hoops striker has explained in his latest exclusive column why the striker is his pick for the Player of the Year award this season and also why he poses such a threat to the Hoops.

Lawrence Shankland would win my vote for PFA Scotland Player of the Year. And, if Celtic don’t start defending cross balls properly, the Hearts striker might get to enjoy a double celebration this weekend. Shankland has already tortured my old club this season and you wouldn’t bet large sums of money on him not doing it again if Celtic don’t tighten it up at the back.

The Record Sport team sat down to discuss all the big talking points from Parkhead in the latest edition of the Record Celtic podcast.