Hearts v Celtic: Derek McInnes keen to measure strength of Tynecastle side in Premiership clash

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes believes Sunday’s match against Celtic will provide a good gauge of his side’s capabilities.

The Edinburgh club can move eight points clear in the William Hill Premiership when they host the champions.

The arrival of McInnes, investor Tony Bloom and some impressive summer signings such as Claudio Braga had furnished Hearts fans with belief that their team could seriously improve on last season’s seventh-placed finish.

But they have now reset their hopes to a lasting title challenge.

The Jambos have collected 22 points from eight games with their only setback ending as a positive after they came from three goals down to draw with Motherwell.

And McInnes feels they have been developing nicely for the visit of Celtic.

“I think we feel ready, I think the supporters feel ready for it, Tynecastle will be ready for it,” said the former St Johnstone, Bristol City, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock manager.

“Regardless of what we’ve done in the previous games, and there’s been some good performances up until now, it doesn’t guarantee anything.

“When you play Celtic, you’ve got to be on point. We’re going to have to play really well to get anything from the game, but we’re looking forward to it. It is an opportunity, and we believe there’s a performance in us that can win the game.

“We’ve got to try and maintain good levels, keep trying to improve, and see where it takes us but I do think a good gauge of that will come on Sunday.”

McInnes is paying little attention to suggestions that Celtic are a fading force this season.

The Hoops have failed to score in six of their matches – a higher tally than the whole of last season – and could be without the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho as well as long-term absentee Jota on Sunday.

“Whoever we play, I don’t care whether they’re in good form or poor form,” McInnes said.

“We recognise that Celtic are a tough game for us. It always is. I’ve played against Brendan’s teams often enough and he’s such a top manager, top operator, and Celtic are littered with top players, so we’ve got our work cut out on Sunday to get a result.

“All I’m focusing on is us trying to be the toughest opponent for them and make sure our performance gives us a chance. I can’t be dependent on any opponent, whether they’re poor or whether they’re strong.

“Sometimes, like every other team, they might not be on point, but for us, it’s up to us to be fully concentrated in the game and try and impose ourselves on the game.”

Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti is taking the challenge of Hearts very seriously.

“They have shown that they are a really good team,” he said. “For us, every game is really serious, so we have to take everyone serious. If it’s Hearts or Rangers or Dundee, we have to take everyone serious.

“It’s going to be a massive game on Sunday at a difficult place, but we’re going to go there to get a result.

“Every game when you play for Celtic is really important. When you play for Celtic, it’s a massive club, you have to win every game, you have to play well every game, so every game is really important.

“But of course, it’s maybe something different because they are doing well and they are in first place at the moment, so it’s going to be a good game. It’s a difficult place to go, so we have to be at our best to get a result.”