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The men that started Celtic’s title success at Tynecastle

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With a few days to go until the title is secured it’s apt that Celtic are back at Tynecastle where the domestic season kicked off in August.

James Forrest and Scott Sinclair got the goals with both players certain to be involved again as the hoops go all out to nail down the title.

It’s been a rapid journey for Rodgers, the players and the fans. Who’d have predicted that Celtic would return undefeated seven months later and on the verge of clinching the title?

The visit to Tynecastle was wedged in between Champions League qualifiers against Astana and Hapoel.

Although those two ties, and wins, played a major part in where the team is today winning at Tynecastle let everyone know that this side wouldn’t be distracted domestically.

There has been a few casualties from the side that raced out into the summer sun of Gorgie, a ground that has developed into a real happy hunting ground in recent seasons.

After a couple of 6 out of 10 performances it would be good to wrap this title up in style- and goals.

CRAIG GORDON

Gordon has that very rare accolade that he usually gets some applause returning to Tynecastle, much like Scott Brown at Easter Road.

Sunday’s keeper will be much different from the player that visited Gorgie earlier in the season, a new contract at 34 tends to help confidence.

Winning a title at Tynecastle would have been the dream of the young Jambo many years ago, that wish could come true on Sunday.

MIKAEL LUSTIG

Like Gordon he’ll return to Tynecastle with the confidence of a new contract under his belt.

In the opening weeks of the season Saidy Janko seemed a contender for the right-back slot but Cristian Gamboa seems a much more realistic option.

After success with Sweden at the weekend a title success will do nicely for the Swede.

KOLO TOURE

Made his first start as a Celtic player at Tynecastle in August and put down a marker for the other central defenders.

It was all going so well until the home Champions League match against Borussia Monchengladbach, from that fixture he has almost disappeared out of sight.

Rodgers has shown that there’s no room for sentiment but Toure’s early season for was a big influence on Celtic’s season.

EOGHAN O’CONNELL

This match was the beginning of the end for the young Irishman.

With Toure signed and Erik Sviatchenko returning from injury chances were becoming scarcer, when Simunovic returned it was almost all over.

A loan move to Walsall has given him the game time his career needed, it remains to be seen if he’ll be recalled by Celtic.

KIERAN TIERNEY

He was about to get a new friend today, the introduction of Scott Sinclair made a massive impact on every part of Celtic’s play.

Tierney took his new team-mate and change of manager in his stride and has built on last season’s progress.

He’s a certain starter on Sunday but not at right-back.

SCOTT BROWN

Winning the title at Tynecastle will have a certain appeal to the former Hibs midfielder.

It’s hard to argue against saying that this has been Brown’s best season at Celtic, hopefully there is no adverse reaction to playing for Scotland.

There’s a few more titles in the Celtic skipper, this will be his magnificent seventh.

CALLUM MCGREGOR

Made it into the XI that started the domestic season and has been in more than he’s been out.

Nir Bitton and Stuart Armstrong have challenged for the same position but the academy boy has came up with the answers.

When he broke through he was labelled as Deila’s project, after 100 appearances he is well entitled to enjoy his third title success.

JAMES FORREST

Was given his chance due to an injury to Patick Roberts, eight months later he is still in possession.

Forest opened the scoring at Tynecastle, a run of goals earned him a new contract despite many fans believing he was shop window material.

He’s been in and out the side from the first title winning season, his sixth medal will be his most savoured.

STUART ARMSTRONG

Man of the moment was actually a surprise starter at Tynecastle as the SPFL kicked off.

The former Dundee United favourite was still trying to escape the ball and chain of playing wide left for Ronny Deila.

It would be the end of October before he nailed down a regular place- he’s not looked back since- going from strength to strength and summing up the sort of development that Rodgers looks for.

LEIGH GRIFFITHS

He loves his trips to Gorgie, his run and pass for Scott Sinclair’s winner showed up the depth to his game.

After last season this term has been a disappointment but if he can embrace the ways of the new manager he can add to his four title winning medals.

His post match celebrations could be epic!

MOUSSA DEMBELE

His midweek penalty against Astana was priceless- it was a notable marker for his first Celtic goal.

Tynecastle was a good introduction to Scottish football, the Jambos have yet to suffer from the club’s leading scorer with Sunday the perfect time to find the net.

It’s been a great season for the 20-year-old, and hopefully not his first and last Celtic title medal.

SCOTT SINCLAIR

When the dodgy haircut replaced the brilliantly groomed Armstrong after an hour no one could have predicted the impact Sinclair was about to have.

His goal, finish and celebration were wonderful, and lots more besides.

Sinclair demonstrates that playing the game still has a value greater than money, his contribution to the season has been priceless.

TOM ROGIC

A highly significant sub on the day, he replaced Eoghan O’Connell as Celtic switched to a back three.

Rogic was just getting into the groove at this stage, another player project that looked washed up under the previous manager.

He has made a big contribution to the season, if he’s on the bench on Sunday it’ll be a big boost for the weeks ahead.

SAIDY JANKO

Replaced Griffiths after Sinclair’s goal as Rodgers reverted back to a four man defence to see the match out.

While it was a sign of how street wise the manager is it wasn’t so significant for Janko.

A loan spell at Barnsley has did little for his game, it’s hard to see any way back into the Celtic side.

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