League leaders Hearts welcome reigning champions Celtic this weekend as the two sides meet in a crucial Scottish Premiership clash at Tynecastle on Sunday (kick-off: 3pm).
Derek McInnes’ side are currently six points ahead of both Celtic and Rangers heading into the game, and know that a third successive victory over Martin O’Neill’s team will open up a sizeable gap at the top of the table that will be difficult for the Hoops to recover from.
However, Celtic will feel confident heading into the clash having gone four games unbeaten since the return of O’Neill as manager earlier this month. Meanwhile, their hosts have been hit by the news that several key players are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines.
The Gorgie outfit have added former academy product Marc Leonard to the squad this week, with the 24-year-old agreeing to join on loan from Birmingham City. A significant boost to their options in the centre of the park ahead of the game, the midfield injury issues has started to bite them hard in recent weeks.
Ahead of the game at Tynecastle, The Scotsman has all the latest team news:
9. Cammy Devlin - Hearts - OUT
Like Shankland, the Aussie player of the season candidate has been agonisingly ruled out for the next six to eight weeks with a leg injury. A big loss for the Jambos. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
10. Marcelo Saracchi - Celtic - OUT
Another Celtic player hampered by hamstring problems, there is no update on when the on loan left-back will return at the time of writing, meaning he is almost certainly out of the game at Tynecastle on Sunday. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
11. Marc Leonard - Hearts - DEBUT?
The Birmingham City midfielder returned to the club on Thursday, signing on loan until the end of the season, and is in line to make his debut at Tynecastle. | SNS Group
12. Tomas Cvancara - Celtic - DEBUT?
Having joined on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, the Czech striker is in line to make his full debut. | SNS Group