ANGE POSTECOGLOU’S Parkhead baptism of fire continues as he takes his hurting Celtic side to Tynecastle for their Premiership opener.
Hearts are back in the big time after a season in the Championship and will fancy their chances of getting off to a flyer with the Hoops in disarray.
The Celtic board’s shameful lack of forward planning was laid bare in midweek as they crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers with a defensive pairing from their Under-21 team.
New signing Carl Starfelt is set to add some experience tonight while Nir Bitton is also back from suspension but it will still be an experimental Hoops defence.
That bodes well for goals and both teams to score looks great value at 9/10 with SportNation.
Hearts won all their League Cup group games without conceding and winger Gary-Mackay Steven caught the eye.
He’s up against his old club today and appeals at 10/11 with McBookie to have a shot on target.
Clashes between these sides are usually fiesty so it could pay to go for cards.
My midweek tip for Ismaila Soro to be carded came up and the Hoops midfielder is 7/2 at Paddy Power to fall foul of the referee at Tynecastle.
The weekend action kicks off at Ibrox and champions Rangers are McBookie’s 1/6 hot favourites to beat Livingston.
David Martindale’s side failed to impress in their League Cup group, finishing second behind Raith Rovers and sneaking into the last 16. So I fancy a Gers win with over 3.5 goals, which pays 166/100 in a McBookie bet builder.
Skipper James Tavernier will be key once more for Steven Gerrard and I like the look of the 21/10 on offer at McBookie for him to claim an assist.
Dundee are also making their top-flight return after dumping Kilmarnock in the play-offs and begin with a tough test against St Mirren at Dens.
The Buddies have recruited well and look a good price at 15/8 (Betfair) for a win but it might be safer to go for BTTS at evens with SportNation.
That bet also looks the shout as Ross County entertain double Cup winners St Johnstone in Dingwall. It pays a little better at 11/10 with SportNation.
Super Singles
- Mackay-Steven shot on target (10/11, McBookie)
- Tavernier assist 21/10 (McBookie)
Goals Double
- BTTS at Dens and in Dingwall (32/10, SportNation).
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
Lost 😭