Confirmed: Høgh ruled out, Osmand starts.

Celtic have confirmed their starting XI for this afternoon’s important Scottish Premiership meeting with Hearts at Celtic Park, with Kasper Høgh dropping to the substitutes’ bench and Callum Osmand handed his first start of the season.

The decision means Celtic’s record signing will not lead the line from the beginning after a difficult spell in front of goal. Høgh has now gone nine consecutive matches without finding the net, and manager Martin O’Neill has opted to give the returning Osmand an opportunity to make an impact from the start.

For Osmand, the fixture carries a special significance. The young striker became a memorable figure among Celtic supporters when he scored the decisive third goal in the Hoops’ 3-1 victory over Hearts in May. That result secured the Premiership title for Celtic, making his return to the starting XI against the same opposition particularly noteworthy.

Osmand Gets His Opportunity

Osmand’s inclusion gives Celtic a different option in attack as they look to claim another important victory over Hearts. His previous goal against the Edinburgh side remains one of the standout moments of his Celtic career, and supporters will be hoping he can produce another influential performance at Parkhead.

Høgh, meanwhile, will have to wait for his opportunity from the bench. The striker’s recent scoring drought has increased pressure on him, particularly given the expectations surrounding a player who arrived as Celtic’s most expensive signing.

The Norwegian has struggled to turn his chances into goals during his recent run, and O’Neill’s decision to leave him out of the starting XI could provide an important opportunity for him to reset mentally.

Scales Returns to Defence

There is also a change in Celtic’s defence, with Liam Scales returning to the starting lineup. His inclusion provides O’Neill with another experienced option at the back as Celtic prepare for a potentially demanding encounter.

Auston Trusty drops out of the starting XI and will instead be among the substitutes. Celtic will hope the defensive changes can help them maintain control against a Hearts side that will arrive at Parkhead determined to make life difficult for the champions.

The rest of the lineup includes goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, with Donovan, Murray, Scales and Kieran Tierney forming the defensive unit.

Jota Named Among the Substitutes

There is further excitement for Celtic supporters with Filipe Jota included on the bench.

The Portuguese winger made his long-awaited return to action last weekend when he came on during Celtic’s 2-0 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park. That appearance was his first in around 18 months, and he will now be hoping to make another contribution against Hearts.

Jota’s presence gives O’Neill another attacking option should Celtic require additional creativity or energy during the second half.

Celtic’s substitutes also include Johnstone, Trusty, Høgh, Emenalo, Sorensen, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mheuka and Forrest.

NET PROFIT…Daizen Maeda swoops to score the crucial second goal in the 3-1 win over Hearts at Parkhead on May 16 on Celtic’s way to a fifth successive title. (See Question 3.)

Celtic’s Starting XI

Celtic will begin with Sinisalo in goal, while Donovan, Murray, Scales and Tierney make up the defence.

Nygren, McGregor and Baur are selected in midfield, with Hassan, Duran and Osmand completing the attacking setup.

The lineup highlights O’Neill’s willingness to make changes as Celtic attempt to maintain their momentum in the Premiership.

For Høgh, the immediate task will be to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way from the bench. For Osmand, meanwhile, the challenge is to justify his selection and potentially recreate the magic of May.

Remembering Celtic’s Recent Hearts Meetings

The fixture also provides an opportunity to revisit some of Celtic’s recent history against Hearts.

Earlier, supporters were invited to test their knowledge of previous meetings between the two clubs in a five-minute quiz. The questions focused on last season’s results, goalscorers, departures, disciplinary incidents and Brendan Rodgers’ final match as Celtic manager.

The first question asked whether Celtic’s 3-1 title-clinching victory over Hearts at Parkhead in May was their only league win against the Edinburgh club during the previous campaign.

The answer was true.

Although Celtic lifted the title with that victory, their other league meetings with Hearts proved far more difficult. Celtic suffered a 2-1 defeat at Parkhead in the other home fixture, while the two encounters at Tynecastle produced a 3-1 defeat and a 2-2 draw.

Tierney Remembered

The second question focused on the December meeting between the teams at Celtic Park. Arne Engels scored from the penalty spot, while Daizen Maeda and Osmand found the net in the May title-winning victory.

However, when Celtic hosted Hearts in December, their only goalscorer was Kieran Tierney.

That answer was particularly fitting given Tierney’s inclusion in today’s starting lineup. The defender remains an important figure for Celtic and will now have another opportunity to influence the outcome against Hearts.

Four Players Have Left

Supporters were also asked to identify four players who featured in Celtic’s title-clinching triumph but have since departed the club.

The four were Marcelo Saracchi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Their departures underline how much Celtic’s squad has changed since that memorable afternoon. Several players who helped deliver the championship are no longer available, while O’Neill is gradually shaping the team according to his own ideas.

Trusty’s Red Card and Rodgers’ Exit

Another quiz question asked supporters to identify the Celtic player sent off during the 2-2 draw at Tynecastle in January.

The answer was Auston Trusty, who is on today’s substitutes’ bench.

Finally, supporters were asked whether Brendan Rodgers’ final match as Celtic manager came against Hearts.

The answer was also true.

Rodgers left Celtic following the 3-1 defeat in Edinburgh on October 26, bringing his spell in charge to an end.

Now, Celtic begin another chapter under O’Neill, with Osmand replacing Høgh in the starting lineup and supporters hoping the youngster can once again produce a memorable moment against Hearts.