BRENDAN RODGERS has bossed against some of his old players during his time at Celtic.
Now he’s going head-to-head with tone of the coaches he took to Liverpool.
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Neil Critchley took over at Tynecastle in mid-October – some 11 years since he moved from Crewe Alexandra into the Reds Academy system at Melwood.
Rodgers at the time was first-team boss and now they pit their wits against one another in Saturday night’s main event.
The dug-out is not the only familiar scenario for the fixture either.
In his two spells as Hoops boss Rodgers has faced Hearts 16 times so far – plus two Europa League qualifiers as Anfield boss.
His record is a healthy one with 13 wins and a single draw – but three of his four defeats came at Tynecastle.
He may well need another if Aberdeen take any points from St Mirren.
The Dons are level on points in the table and kick-off a few hours earlier and could have restored their lead at the top – even if it’s just for a short while.
Then it’ll be all attention to Tynecastle.
The cameras will be in and the floodlights on for the rare Saturday night kick-off.
Here are all the details you need to enjoy some PrimeTime SPFL action.
What time does Hearts v Celtic kick off?
- Celtic head east to face Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, November 22.
- The match kicks off at 7.45pm
- It will be held at Tynecastle Park.
- Referee for the televised clash will be Steven McLean. Greg Aitken is on VAR duty.
What TV channel is Hearts v Celtic on and can I live stream it?
- Hearts v Celtic IS on TV this weekend
- It will be broadcast on Sky Sports – on the Football channel
- Coverage commences at 7pm – 45 minutes before kick-off
- That means the match can be streamed LIVE by NOWTV, Sky Sports app users and on Sky Go.
- BBC Sportscene will also have highlights at 10.30pm on BBC One.
- However in a change to usual schedules there will be NO early version on the BBC Scotland channel.
Team news
Celtic will have newly-contracted, and sometimes stand-in skipper Alistair Johnston in the squad, fresh from collecting his 50th cap for Canada against Suriname last week.
Japanese trio Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda travelled to join the Blue Samurai and returned unscathed.
And Cameron Carter-Vickers is also over his recent injury issues.
Brendan Rodgers said: “We’ve had our last group of players in [Friday] morning. All came back absolutely fine.
“Cam is back and fit – we managed him in that last game so we’re all geared up and excited by the games ahead.
“The last time I was at Tynecastle at night was with Liverpool I think, whether it’s night or day it’s always an intense game.”
Home side Hearts have also benefitted from the international break – and internationalists Craig Gordon, Kye Rowles and Lawrence Shankland have all reported back fit.
Calem Niewenhof remains sidelined though, but Yutaro Oda could be involved to some degree.
Match odds
Hearts 7/1 (William Hill)
Draw 4/1 (Ladbrokes, PaddyPower, Betway)
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Celtic 2/5 (Ladbrokes, William Hill)
*odds correct as at 5.30pm on November 21.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
