THE BHOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN: A CELTIC-HEARTS PREVIEW

CELTIC V HEARTS (SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP: SATURDAY 5TH AUGUST; 12:30PM)

Celtic unfurl the league flag and kick-off our quest for seven in a row against the team we started and ended the league season against last year - Hearts.

Team Selection: This will be interesting as we have so many games coming up in a short space of time. Presumably Nir Bitton will continue in his new role as a centre-back, partnering Jozo Simunovic as Erik Sviatchenko has joined Dedryck Boyaya on the long term injury list. James Forrest should keep his place after his winning goal in Rosenborg and perhaps Tom Rogic will be restored in the starting line-up. You’ve got to think Leigh Griffiths will start up front as he seems back to full fitness.

Previous Meetings: Four games against Hearts last season and four wins, beginning with debut Bhoy Scott Sinclair’s last goal to clinch a 2-1 win on the opening day of the season.

Sinclair was again the star man with a brace as we demolished Hearts 4-0 at Celtic Park in January.

The title was clinched at Tynecastle in March, as Celtic strolled to a 5-0 victory, with Sinclair helping himself to a hat-trick this time.

The unbeaten league season was completed against Hearts at Celtic Park as goals from Griffiths and Armstrong gave the Celts a 2-0 win.

Prediction: Celtic will win to begin the defence of the title in style, and we should do that against a Hearts team who seem in disarray. Hopefully no further injuries are picked up in a comfortable Celtic win.

Celtic 3 Hearts 0