On the back of 11 successive victories Charlie Nicholas believes that Celtic are walking into back-to-back draws against Hearts although they are tipped to squeeze through in the Scottish Cup.
It seems that Sunday’s 5-1 win over St Mirren displayed a vulnerability that Hearts can exploit.
Celtic were behind against St Mirren for around 50 minutes but ran out comfortable winners with BBC Scotland reporting that Ange Postecoglou’s side had 82% possession.
That may in a small way be due to St Mirren being reduced to 10 men but if Charles Dunne hadn’t fouled Kyogo Furuhashi the top scorer in Scotland would have been one on one with goalkeeper Trevor Carson.
Sunday was the third time this year that Celtic have beaten St Mirren by four goals which well and truly kills off any lasting significance of losing to the Paisley side in September.
Picking up on his column in the Daily Express, the Daily Record reports Nicholas saying:
I know Celtic beat St Mirren at the weekend but you could see there was still a vulnerability there especially in the first half before Stephen Robinson’s side went down to 10 men.
You saw that with big Ange with his substitutions. St Mirren proved a point that you can get at Celtic. I am expecting something similar against Hearts. I expect Hearts to go full out.
I think it will be physical and it could be a cold and unwelcoming night which could level things a bit. Robbie Neilson has done a great job at Hearts and quite rightly has received a lot of plaudits.
They are going to finish third in the league but they will be desperate for silverware. These next two games will definitely be two tremendous tests for Celtic. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hearts were to nick a point in midweek and in the cup tie I could see it going to extra-time and Celtic just squeezing through.
All season Postecoglou has been complimented on the use of his substitutes, last month in the Scottish Cup against St Mirren, Reo Hatate (2), Matt O’Riley and Oh Hyeon-gyu came off the bench to score in another 5-1 win over St Mirren.
In their last away match, on February 19, Hearts lost 2-0 at St Mirren.
Is this guy (not even naming him anymore) serious, nothing to say on how “big Ange” identified the areas that needed addressing and how the subs impacted tremendously on the overall outcome of the game, it also appeared that Jota upped his game as if someone had a word in his ear.
So St Mirren had 18% possession had 1 shot on target (a penalty they shouldn’t have had) Joe Hart read war and peace he was so bored. How does this show we were got at. Honestly pundits in this country are awful especially nicholarse boyd
Another one smoking the Elton Johns as Ferguson.
Charlie has to write something but vulnerability of Celtic_fc_1888 where was the vulnerability is it not being able to score against a packed defence which drilled all week get a goal hold out 10 men can defend but celtic movement was to much for stmirren they wear tyring there midfield was back on their on area the only vulnerability is var it does hit his hand referee thought it played him but as we know father like son search every angle surprise penalty now to Willie column who all the questions should be about Kilmarnock to decision that changed the game the handball I couldn’t be a hundred percent and I have a 65ins tv only if a 100percent you can give it then Kilmarnock penalty stone waller we know Willie can give penalties when his back is to the play as Celtic_fc_1888 found against old co and he’s still getting it wrong
Why even bother what nicholas says he should be blanked from ALL celtic sites secretly he is a rangers fan and slags celtic at every turn NO more Nicholas.
A total nobody, watched him playing then he fkd off in the distance to Arsenal.
What is his medal total and what team did he get them.
Another guy when I see on TV, I just turn over, a prick
That soup must taste awfully nice Charlie