Celtic ‘so strong’ says Paulo Sergio

Victory for Hearts would provide some symmetry, since the Tynecastle club were the last team to defeat Celtic in Scotland – at the start of October. Sergio believes Neil Lennon’s side have improved since then after being freed from involvement in European football when they were eliminated from the Europa League in December.

“Maybe it wasn’t so easy in the SPL after these games,” said Sergio, who first met Lennon in the States last summer when manager of Sporting Lisbon. “However, after they were out of Europe they started winning games in our league. Victories build confidence and bring everyone together. They are so strong now, better than they were last time.”

Sergio hopes his own side improve after Sunday’s 1-1 Scottish Cup draw with St Johnstone at Tynecastle. The manager put some of the blame for that on the need to train on smaller pitches indoors due to the weather, leaving the players “out of rhythm and pace”.

“When you don’t have enough oxygen in your head your decision making isn’t good enough,” he said. “It’s the small things that make the difference in the end.”

“The match before is history,” said Sergio, with reference to the 2-0 win in October. “They [Celtic] have a very strong team with good technique and ability. They have fast players fighting for their goals but they don’t need me to speak well of them because they are already good enough themselves. In ten games we will maybe defeat Celtic three or four times. I hope this is one of them.”

Jamie MacDonald is likely to continue in the Hearts goal due to Marian Kello’s dispute with the club. Midfielder Ian Black is suspended and winger David Templeton is also out after being substituted against St Johnstone with a groin injury.