Robbie Neilson has a 'stick or twist' scenario coming up against a tasty double header with Celtic.
Hearts have two games against the Scottish champions in the space of three days with a tantalising clash at Parkhead under the lights on Wednesday next month being followed by a Scottish Cup quarter-final in the capital on an early Saturday kick-off. And Jambos hero Gary Mackay believes the two clashes will set the tone for how the Gorgie fare against Ange Postecoglou's men for the remainder of the season.
The former Scotland man insists the Hoops are leading the way as best in class and that Neilson's men ideally would not have wanted to draw them despite being on home turf.
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He told the Edinburgh Evening News: "We are at Celtic Park on the Wednesday in the league and then it’s Celtic in the cup a few days later. For Robbie Neilson and the coaching staff, it’s a case of: ‘Do you show your hand at Celtic Park in the first game or not?’ It’s a real stick or twist job for any manager when you play the same opponents consecutively in two different competitions in a short space of time.
"Celtic are the best team in Scotland at this moment in time so, in that regard, it’s the one club you didn’t want out of those left in the cup. However, there is also that knowledge that, at Tynecastle, Hearts can really give them a game. The place will be rocking and our recent record against Celtic at home offers some encouragement.
"Think of it this way: There is more opportunity to beat Celtic at Tynecastle than there would be if Hearts got to the semi-final and then had to play them at Hampden. I'm actually really looking forward to it, this is a massive game that’s got the juices flowing.
"As a team, Hearts will need to be near perfection to get through. You don’t get a chance to put in a good performance against Celtic and win. It needs to be brilliant or very close to it."
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