Lawrence Shankland admits his last and only trip to Celtic Park was a lonely experience where he left with his tail between his legs. But the Hearts striker can't wait for a first taste of a full house at the home of the champions and make it a proving ground to show the gulf between the two clubs can be squeezed during this campaign.
A 3-0 loss as a Dundee United player during Covid lockdown back in December 2020 still lingers but the 27-year-old Jambo is determined to make tomorrow far more memorable. Fresh from a 2-1 Europa League play-off, first-leg loss to FC Zurich in St Gallen, the Tynecastle side returned to Edinburgh on Friday morning and Shankland is adamant it has only served to give him a greater hunger for the big time atmosphere.
He said: "I've only played at Celtic Park once with Dundee United and it was during lockdown so the place was empty. We lost 3-0 in the end. I've always been in the lower leagues and then the place was empty when we went there in the Premiership. It will be good. I'm going there with a good team so hopefully we can make our mark.
"That's who we want to compete with and that's who were above us in the table last year. The message is clear: We want to get up there and get closer to Celtic and Rangers. To do that, we need to give them a game when we go through to Glasgow."
Hearts need to trace back to a League Cup tie back in 2009 for their last win in the east end of Glasgow and Shankland believes their Europa League clash with Zurich and all of the noise from their Swiss fans could prove to be the ideal preparation to finally end that 13-year wait.
The Scotland striker was also heckled by the Ultras amongst the home fans as he slotted in an early penalty and again that could prove to be ideal practice if he's asked to step up to the spot against Ange Postecoglou's men.
He said: "It will be if we get one. I doubt it, right enough! The more practice you can get in those situations the better because then you can deal with that pressure."
The Jambos will face a hectic fixture card regardless of whether they are playing Europa League or Conference League group games over the next few months and Shankland believes they're prepared for a marathon on all fronts.
He said: "We knew what we were entering into. We've known from the start of the season we would be facing this situation of playing midweek and weekends. Sunday is a big game going to Celtic Park and we will be ready. The recovery started and I'm sure we will be ready to go on Sunday.
"Coming away from home, it's always going to be difficult no matter where you go in Europe. Especially at this stage of qualifying because it's play-offs. We knew that would be the case but we are going back to Tynecastle well in the tie, so that's important.
"I felt good coming off and we all seemed to finish the game pretty strongly. They had a couple of counter-attacks near the end and Craig Gordon had two really good saves. I felt we were well in control of the game at that point nearing the end. That shows we have good fitness levels. We need it for Sunday and going into next Thursday."
Hearts know their Europa League hopes hang in the balance ahead of next week's return leg at Tynecastle but Shankland admits his penalty could yet prove crucial even if he had his doubts it was going to be awarded after Nathan Atkinson was kicked by Adrian Guerrero inside the box.
He said: "I think the linesman gave it eventually. The ref said 'no' at first but the linesman had obviously seen something. I was just keen to grab the ball and it took a wee while. I just had to stay composed. The noise level lifted a fair bit because it was at the Zurich end. I was confident and managed to stay calm. I hit a good penalty and thankfully it went in.
"I've probably been in that situation before but probably not of that magnitude in an important game. As always, I was just delighted to see it hit the net."
It's now three goals from four games since Shankland moved to the capital club from Belgian club Beerschot this summer and he's hopeful there's plenty more still to come.
He said: "Long may it last. I just want to keep getting into positions and hopefully the goals keep going in. I'm playing with good players and if they can find me in good areas then great. Thursday was a penalty but I'll take them as they come.
"My pre-season was a bit different. When I got here, the boys were working a bit more intensely. I'm starting to feel good now. That's four games where I've played 90 minutes or close to it so I'm starting to feel sharp again. It was always going to take a bit of time but I'm getting there."
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