Heart’s return to Celtic Park on Sunday will be a test of whether the Edinburgh club can move past the heartbreak that ended their title challenge last season. The last time the Hibs travelled to the Old Firm’s home ground, a 4‑0 defeat in the final minutes of the match saw their championship hopes vanish, leaving players and fans alike stunned. Now, under new manager Wouter Vrancken, the team is determined to rewrite that narrative.
Vrancken, who took charge after a rocky start to his tenure, has already posted a strong run of results, winning five of seven matches, including a recent 5‑0 triumph over St Mirren. He has urged his squad to forget the May loss and focus on the present, saying that “you can’t live in the past” and that the club needs a “fire” to drive every game forward. Oisin McEntee, who scored the opening goal in the club’s European opener against Nordsjaelland, insists the trip to Glasgow is not about revenge but about proving themselves again.
Heart’s recent form has been mixed away from home; they have only secured two victories in their last eleven league away fixtures and have not kept a clean sheet in that stretch. However, the Hibs’ recent success under Vrancken suggests a potential turnaround. The club’s investor, Tony Bloom, has reiterated his confidence in the team’s title ambitions, and the upcoming fixture will be a key indicator of whether those hopes are realistic this season.
Celtic, meanwhile, remain the dominant force in the Scottish Premiership, having won 14 of their last 15 league games and 26 of 29 home encounters against Hearts. Their recent European defeat to Benfica has left some fans and the board uneasy, but manager Martin O’Neill remains optimistic. He described the upcoming match as “every bit as tough as the last day of last season” and believes Hearts are genuine title challengers, citing their seven points from four league games against Celtic last season as evidence.
The match at Celtic Park will therefore be a high‑stakes showdown. Hearts aim to silence the memory of May’s heartbreak and prove they can compete at the top of the league, while Celtic seek to confirm their supremacy and continue their quest for another title. The outcome will set the tone for the remainder of the campaign and determine whether Hearts can finally close the gap on their rivals.