The only positive Hearts can take from Celtic defeat named as pundit makes top six prediction

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Hearts returned from the international break with a daunting challenge on Saturday.

The last place Neil Critchley wanted to play after the two-week break was Celtic Park against the champions – and it proved to be a difficult afternoon.

The Jambos actually started the match well and forced Celtic’s Viljami Sinisalo into two early saves. But then Celtic began to motor through the gears.

Hearts were cut wide open for the first goal as two passes from one end of the pitch to the other had Celtic through on goal to net.

Defensively, the team from Gorgie were all over the place despite the return of January signing Jamie McCart in defence.

Jota scored Celtic’s second before Maeda was free at the back post to put in the third. Hearts offered very little in the second-half and the game finished 3-0.

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Allan Preston analyses Celtic 3-0 Hearts

Former Hearts defender Allan Preston took the game in for BBC Sportsound on the radio and said the Jambos can only really take one positive from the outcome at Parkhead.

Providing his post-match analysis, Preston said: “The only positive today for Hearts is that they are still in the top six, and that’s down to Aberdeen for beating Motherwell.

“It’s in Hearts’ hands now, they’ve got two games to get into the top six and I think they need to win them both.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	30	11	8	11	38	40	-2	41
6	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	30	11	6	13	43	40	3	39
7	MotherwellMotherwell	30	11	5	14	36	50	-14	38

“I think Neil Critchley will be quite thankful that he only got out with three (goals conceded) because it could have been more, it really could have.

“Hearts have got to lick their wounds and go back and try and beat Dundee United next Sunday, which if results go their way, could actually cement their top six spot.

“But I don’t think it will. I think it will go to the final game before the split against Motherwell.”

What now for Hearts?

As Preston alluded to, Aberdeen defeated Motherwell 4-1 on Saturday which prevented the Steelmen from closing the gap on Hearts.

Hearts remain 6th in the Premiership for the moment but St Mirren’s excellent 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock means the Buddies are now only a point behind the Jambos.

Only four points separate Hearts in 6th and Ross County in 9th, who face Dundee United on Sunday in Dingwall. That’s an interesting game for Hearts, with a draw probably the most favourable outcome.

That’s because United are still only two points ahead of Hearts in 5th at the moment. The two sides will meet next weekend in a bumper clash, with Hearts facing Motherwell afterwards.