Not on our watch- Celtic given Tynecastle warning

Ryan Stevenson has warned the Celtic squad that there are no plans for Tynecastle hosting a title party.

With three points needed to retain the SPFL title yesterday’s fixture reveal sends Ange Postecoglou back to Tynecastle for their first post-split fixture.

The decision hasn’t gone down well with Celtic supporters, no reasoning has been given for the scheduling with just 1,400 away fans allowed to watch.

The lounges at Celtic Park will hold many more fans with thousands ready to head to the east end to welcome home the champions if they come up with the right result in the capital.

Postecoglou’s first domestic match was a defeat at Tynecastle in July 2021 but since then Celtic have won eight on the bounce against Robbie Neilson’s side including a 3-0 Scottish Cup win at Tynecastle that ultimately led to a change in management.

Ryan Stevenson had two spells as a player at Tynecastle, speaking to the Daily Record he gave an insight into the mentality of the Hearts players knowing what will be at stake for their opponents in their next SPFL outing:

One thing I do know though is that as soon as the fixtures came out and Celtic were going to Tynecastle with the chance to win the title, I can guarantee you the Hearts boys will have been thinking, not on our watch.

I’ve been in the game long enough to know how players think and there’s no way Hearts will go into that game wanting Celtic to be partying in their dressing room and their fans dancing about in their corner of the stand.

I know there will only be 1400 Celtic fans on the day but they’ll arrive with the balloons and party hats expecting a big celebration. And let me tell you, there is nothing worse slinking back into your changing room having to listen to the other team going nuts.

As well as the 3-0 Scottish Cup win at Tynecastle last month Celtic won 4-3 in October in a match dominated by VAR controversies.