Scottish Premier League: Hearts vs Celtic, Alex Gogic and Motherwell coach in focus

It is an indication of the importance of Sunday’s game as both Hearts and Celtic were scrambling for new signings to bolster their starting lineups at Tynecastle.

It is not surprising given the consensus that January signings could be the deciding factor in what is now a three-horse race for the title.

This is doubly so for Hearts, considering they have lost two of their key players, captain Lawrence Shankland and Dynamo midfielder Cammy Devlin, to extended spells on the bench.

Hearts have paid a fee to fast-track the arrival of Rogers Matu, who was due to arrive in the summer, from North Macedonia leader Vardar, but it remains to be seen whether the paperwork will be completed in time for the Ugandan striker to face Celtic.

They may have better luck with a midfielder, as former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Mark Leonard is set to arrive on loan from Birmingham City after Forest Green Rovers rejected a bid for their captain Laurent Mendy.

Meanwhile, Celtic succeeded in filling their striker shortage with the arrival of Czech national team player Tomas Czavankara on Thursday, on loan from Borussia Mönchengladbach, a move that came at the right time after Jonny Kenny suffered an injury during their 2-2 draw with Bologna.

Having to play for almost an hour with ten men in Bologna on Thursday following the dismissal of Rio Hattat will be a test of Celtic’s ability to recover, as will surrendering a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Meanwhile, Hearts will look to bounce back from last weekend’s shock penalty shootout exit in the Scottish Cup at home to Falkirk.

That ended a 12-game unbeaten home run this season, but Derek McInnes’ side remain first in the league, six points behind both Celtic and Rangers.

Earn victory on Sunday and will become the first Hearts side to beat Celtic three times in a single league season – a remarkable feat that will answer critics who question their sustainability given their injury problems.

They will also become the first team other than Rangers to defeat Celtic in three consecutive league meetings since Aberdeen in 1990.

However, Celtic resurfaced, having won all seven of their league games during Martin O’Neill’s two spells as caretaker manager following the exits of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy.

Surprisingly, Celtic have lost each of their last five away league games against opponents who start the day at the top of the table – two of which were to Hearts, in August 2018 and last October.

Meanwhile, an equally revitalized Rangers under Danny Ruhl wait in the wings and the team who sit third behind Celtic on goal difference will be favorites to make it eight straight wins and avoid a repeat of the 1-1 draw with Dundee at Ibrox under former boss Russell Martin.