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Edinburgh Live
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Ben Banks

Hearts team news v Celtic confirmed as Shankland benched and makeshift defence gets latest test

Hearts have named their starting XI that will take on Celtic this afternoon.

Robbie Neilson's side are back at Tynecastle after a rare free week but their options are limited after more injuries were suffered in last Sunday's 2-0 loss to Aberdeen. They find themselves in the Premiership bottom six ahead of this one and need a result to lift themselves out of it, but regulars like Peter Haring, Kye Rowles, Beni Baningime and Liam Boyce are all out. Lawrence Shankland is on the bench while there is one recognised centre-back in Toby Sibbick starting.

READ MORE: Alex Cochrane calls on Hearts to show Celtic 'no respect' and take bookings if needed

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Regardless, boss Neilson is looking forward to the bout and believes it is important that Hearts impose themselves on the league champions, with an added narrative being that VAR is being introduced to the Scottish top flight this weekend. Neilson said: "This is the first week we’ve had without a European game for a while which is helpful as it allows us to train and recover properly.

"We’ll get a few guys back soon and hopefully some more by the end of the month which’ll allow us to move forward.”

Hearts XI: Gordon, Smith, Kingsley, Kio, Devlin, McKay, Cochrane, Sibbick, Humphrys, Ginnelly, Snodgrass.

Subs: Stewart, Clark, Grant, Shankland, Halliday, Forrest, Neilson, Henderson, Smith.

READ NEXT:

- Alex Cochrane calls on Hearts to show Celtic 'no respect' and take bookings if needed

- Robbie Neilson in positive Hearts injury update ahead of Celtic test at Tynecastle

- Hearts hero Colin Cameron explains 'strange' connection with Hibs favourite after football return

- Stephen Kingsley laments Hearts injury luck as he admits 'I’ve never really seen anything like it'

- Craig Halkett and Kye Rowles Hearts injury latest as Robbie Neilson delivers 'still be out' update

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