Martin O’Neill admits it will be ‘a long way back’ for Celtic in the title race if they lose Sunday’s top-of-the-table showdown with Hearts.
Derek McInnes’ men are currently six points clear of both Old Firm sides in the race to win the Premiership, and defeat at Tynecastle would leave the defending champions facing a nine-point deficit.
With in-form Rangers facing Dundee at Ibrox at the same time on Sunday, the battle for the Premiership crown is going into overdrive this weekend.
‘It’s going to be very big, no question about it,’ said 73-year-old manager O’Neill. ‘If we get beaten, it’s a long way back for us. It’s a bit of a trek at the minute, so we would go out to try and win the game if we can.
‘It’s not the end of the road (if Hearts win), but nine points would be a lot to claw back with 15 games left.’
Celtic have lost both of their previous matches against Hearts this term – under Brendan Rodgers and then Wilfried Nancy – but O’Neill dismissed any notion that his side, who drew 2-2 in Bologna in the Europa League on Thursday, might be happy with a point.
Martin O’Neill admits a nine-point deficit would leave Celtic with ‘a long way back’ if they lose to Hearts
Celtic were impressive in a 2-2 draw in Bologna on Thursday night, and O’Neill insists they are going to Tynecastle to win
‘I don’t think that’s in their nature,’ he said. ‘If you look at last night, the way we started the game, we closed the players down, we scored a goal from closing players down.
‘So we went to take the game to Bologna. What’s the point in sitting back? Obviously, as the game goes on, we get a man sent off and second half, we had to retreat.
‘They drove us back, as you would expect. But, for us, we will be as positive as we possibly can, and we’ll try and win. If we can’t win it, we’ll try and save it.’
O’Neill revealed that striker Johnny Kenny is a doubt after picking up a calf strain during his substitute outing in Italy.
‘I think he’s gone for some sort of scans this afternoon, but we’ll see,’ said the Northern Irishman. ‘He might be a doubt, I’m not sure. He just said he felt it during the course of the time he was on. Hopefully other than that, we’re ready to go.’
Kenny’s absence would be offset by the arrival of new Czech striker Tomas Cvancara, who joined this week on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, and the possible return to contention of Kelechi Iheanacho after injury.
‘Tomas trained yesterday with the B team lads, and he trained this morning,’ said O’Neill, who does not anticipate any further signings before Sunday’s match. ‘He’s ready to go. I wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on him. He’s not just going to be the panacea for all our ills and woes.
O’Neill says new loan striker Tomas Cvancara is ready to go if he needs him for Tynecastle showdown
Celtic boss O’Neill leads his players off the pitch after brave display in Italy on Thursday
‘Just let him get settled in. I think he’ll make an impact. I hope he does. But, again, I just wouldn’t want to be putting extreme pressure on him to solve all our problems.
‘Kelechi trained today. I think that might be his second day. He didn’t travel with us (to Bologna). He’s been doing some training, and he did fine today.
‘I’m glad to see him back. That helps us if that’s the case. It might be a bit of a stretch to start him in a game at the moment but at least he’s going to be available.’
