Scottish League
2010-05-09 - Hearts vs Celtic
A Sports Betting Pick by Stephen
Football: Scottish Premier League
Sunday 9th May Kick Off 1.30pm
Hearts (6th) - Home Record W9 D4 L5
Celtic (2nd) - Away Record W10 D2 L6
Its been a largely disappointing season for Hearts after being favoured to finish third as they did last season they are going to finish 6th and miss out on european football. Boss Jim Jeffries came in during the season after previous boss Csaba Lazslo was sacked after a poor early part of the season. Results have picked up over the last few months as they made a late surge for European Football but their 0-0 draw on Wednesday night with Dundee United ended any hopes of finishing fourth ahead of Hibs or Motherwell.
They did have a good 2-1 win at rivals Hibs last week after being 1-0 down and have beaten Celtic 2-1 earlier in the season in the SPL at Tynecastle, although Celtic had led 1-0 and a Gary Caldwell red card did change the game. Jim Jeffries will also have to do without several players for the visit of Celtic. Andrew Driver, Janos Balogh, Jose Concalves, Marian Kello and Mark Ridgers wont take part and Michael Stewart may not kick another ball for Hearts as he has been left out by Jeffries since his reaction to being substitued against Motherwell a few weeks back. Stewart is out of contract in the summer.
The end of this season cant come soon enough for Celtic. They have been long since out of the title race and were knocked out of the Cup by Ross County in the semi final. The Tony Mowbary reign was a disaster which ended with the humiliating 4-0 defeat at St Mirren. However caretaker boss Neil Lennon, a legend during his playing days at Celtic Park has done an excellent job in his time winning his 7 SPL games and his only defeat the shock 2-0 defeat to Ross County in the Scottish Cup Semi Final.
Robbie Keane has been a sensation since his loan move in January but is unlikely to be at Celtic Park next season as Harry Redknapp has stated that Keane has a future at Tottenham. Aiden Mcgeady hasnt always shown the form he has had in previous seasons but is still a vital member of the team and will cause problems for the Hearts defence on Sunday. Celtic have showed great character in recent weeks, they deservedly won the final old firm game of the season, showing great guts for the battle aswell as the qualify of players such as Keane and Mcgeady. They also were 2-1 down to Hibs late on a few weeks back and got two late goals to win 3-2. A win at Hearts will make it 8 in a row for Lennon and a good finish to whats been a poor season by their standards.
HEARTS LAST 5
Hearts 0-0 Dundee United
Hibernian 1-2 Hearts
Hearts 0-2 Motherwell
Rangers 2-0 Hearts
Hearts 1-0 Kilmarnock
CELTIC LAST 5
Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Celtic 4-0 Motherwell
Dundee United 0-2 Celtic
Celtic 3-2 Hibernian
Celtic 2-1 Motherwell
THE BETTING VERDICT
Celtic have finished their forgetful SPL season very well under caretaker boss Neil Lennon and I expect them to make it 8 wins from their last 8 with a win here.
Take CELTIC TO WIN at 4/6.
The Pick :
Hearts 0-2 Celtic
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take CELTIC TO WIN at 4/6.
