Oisin McEntee has backed Hearts to prove they can challenge for the Premiership title again with a statement performance at Celtic Park this weekend. The versatile Irishman insists the new-look Jambos have the quality to go the distance in the title race once more.
Title credentials on the line
Hearts return to Parkhead for the first time since last season's heartbreaking final-day title defeat. Since then, the Tynecastle side have lost manager Derek McInnes and stars Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin to title rivals Rangers, but McEntee believes new boss Wouter Vrancken's squad can still compete.
McEntee said: "I don't see why not. We've brought in so much talent. Josh McPake, Calvin Miller and Malachi Fagan-Walcott. They're huge players. It is so early but you want to pick up as many points as you can. It would be a great place to do it [win at Celtic Park]. I think all the boys are confident going into it."
Painful memories of May
The 25-year-old, who can play right-back, centre-back or central midfield, watched from the stands on Hearts' last visit to Glasgow's east end on May 16. McInnes' side needed only a point that day to clinch the league title for the first time in 66 years and had gone ahead through Lawrence Shankland just before half-time, only for Arne Engels to equalise from the penalty spot on 45 minutes.
Celtic then won the game and the league crown as Daizen Maeda made it 2-1 three minutes from time before Callum Osmand netted with the final kick of the ball. It was a cruel end to Hearts' season, and McEntee admits the pain took time to heal.
He said: "It was a really bitter taste. It was one of the toughest moments of my career, but a lot of these boys are new. They have their own career and goals. I don't think they'll be too fussed about it. They'll just want to go there and win."
European fatigue a factor
Both teams go into the match on the back of European ties on Thursday. Hearts were denied an opening-night Conference League win by a late Nordsjaelland goal, while Celtic suffered a heavy defeat at Benfica.
McEntee added: "It is a tough place to go and it was probably similar to our game. There is more running and more heat over there, but it will be similar for both teams. We also put in a shift and just the travelling for Celtic will have been a lot. The mood in the camp is positive. It is just about resting up and recovering. We will get what we need, with massages and ice baths. Celtic have the exact same situation. There will be no disadvantage there."
McEntee was delighted to score the goal that put Hearts ahead against Nordsjaelland but was disappointed with the final score. He said: "I was dying to get the goal and I was delighted to get it. I feel I could've got another straight after with a header but it was a really good save."
The late sucker punch left the Tynecastle dressing-room slightly muted. McEntee said: "It was a mix of emotions. It was positive because of the performance we put in. A lot of the boys in the changing-room, it was their first game in Europe. I feel like we did ourselves proud. The goal at the end, it does put a dampener on things but we have to look at the positives."
