Celtic vs Hearts: Scottish Premiership preview, predictions, team news, TV channel & live stream
Celtic won only one of four meetings with Heart of Midlothian last season, but did claim victory in the one that truly mattered on the final day. Having won 2-1 at Parkhead in December, the Jambos are aiming to beat the Hoops in Glasgow in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2007.
This huge Scottish Premiership clash is not one to be missed, so check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV guide.
Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian match info
Date: Sunday 18 October 2026.
Kick off times: 3pm (local) & 10am (ET).
Competition: Scottish Premiership matchday 9
Venue: Parkhead - Glasgow, Scotland.
How to watch: Sky Sports (UK) and CBS Sports (USA).
How can I watch Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian?
| Country | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| UK & Ireland | Sky Sports Football |
| USA | CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ |
| Australia | beIN Sports 1 |
| Africa | ESPN2 |
| Austria, Germany and Switzerland | sportdigital+ |
| Portugal | Sport TV6 |
| Türkiye | S Sport+ |
| International | Celtic Player |
Celtic vs Heart of Midlothian match preview
Celtic may be top of the Scottish Premiership right now, but four defeats from the last five games underlines that all is not well in Glasgow's East End. On Thursday night, Martin O'Neill's team were demolished 4-1 by Benfica, 3-0 down by half time at Estádio da Luz, with the game over before Camilo Durán bagged a consolation.
This means the Bhoys remain pointless in Europe, having also lost to Ferencváros at home, under enormous pressure to win against Celta de Vigo next Thursday. Celtic did beat Motherwell 2-0 at Fir Park last Sunday, Durán and Benjamin Nygren on target, but a home defeat to Rangers before the international break means the gap at the top is down to just two points. If Derek McInnes' side win at Dens on Saturday night, the Hoops will kick off second, ramping up the pressure further.
Heart of Midlothian meantime, having been minutes away from becoming champions in May, look like being strong once again. Wouter Vrancken's team were also in action on Thursday, coming agonisingly close to a Conference League win at Tynecastle. They led through Oisin McEntee, but Nicklas Røjkjær's late strike snatched a share of the spoils for Nordsjælland in Gorgie.
Domestically, Hearts have now won five of their last seven, most-recently hammering St Mirren 5-0 last weekend; Calvin Miller converting two penalties, while Laurent Mendy, Cláudio Braga and Josh McPake were also on target. Thus, given how vulnerable Celtic are right now, the Jambos in attendance at Parkhead on Sunday will arrive with hope of seeing a famous victory.
Celtic team news
Celtic remain without Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, massively depleting their defensive options. Having made his return after 533 days out at Fir Park, Jota will receive a hero's welcome back to Parkhead, albeit unlikely to start, even if Yang Hyun-jun is currently injured.
Heart of Midlothian team news
Wouter Vrancken is missing Craig Halkett and Blair Spittal, but does have in form Josh McPake, who has scored three goals already this season.
Predicted Line-ups
Celtic predicted lineup: Sinisalo; Donovan, Murray, Trusty, Tierney; McGregor, Baur, Nygren; Hassan, Tounekti, Durán.
Heart of Midlothian predicted lineup: Reus; Borchgrevink, McCart, Fagan-Walcott, Milne; Mendy, McEntee, Miller, Braga, McPake; Wilson.
Score prediction: Celtic 2-2 Heart of Midlothian.
