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Samaras dropped for Hearts cup tie

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Image for Samaras dropped for Hearts cup tie

Scott Brown trophyNeil Lennon has made four changes to the Celtic side to face Hearts from the team that lost 3-0 to AC Milan in midweek.

Georgios Samaras, Derk Boerrigter and James Forrest are dropped to make way for Scott Brown, Anthony Stokes and Nir Biton while Joe Ledley replaces the injured Beram Kayal.

The return of Stokes will give Celtic more of an attacking edge with Samaras failing to make much of an impression on the Italians.

Summer signings Amido Balde and Teemu Pukki are among the substitutes.

CELTIC: Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Biton, Ledley, Mulgrew; Commons; Stokes

SUBS: Zaluska, Samaras, Boerrigter, Balde, Rogic, Pukki, Fisher

 Looking forward to the Tynecastle clash  Brown said: “It’s good to play in and I love going there. I think everyone gets it at Tynecastle, the fans are right on top of you. That’s what Scottish football is all about.

“It’s always a good tempo and Hearts usually come for you in the first 15-20 minutes of the match and try to get the goal. If we can weather the storm we can get the ball down and play.

“In the first 10-15 minutes they want to get about your face and Hearts have always been the same, a hard-working team. They play really well at home, especially with the fans behind them.

“It’s right on top of you, it’s one of those stadiums where you can hear everything every punter says and whether you like it or not you have to deal with it.

“I think I get more abuse there than I do at Ibrox. Well, more than I can hear anyway. It’s good to hear some of the shouts. They love me there, honestly!”

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