Derek McInnes is confident that his Hearts team is primed to challenge Celtic’s dominance in today’s highly anticipated match at Tynecastle, as they face off against the current champions.

The Edinburgh squad stands a chance to extend their lead to eight points at the top of the Premiership standings by defeating Brendan Rodgers’ injury-plagued team in this noon-time fixture in Gorgie.

With McInnes at the helm, the addition of investor Tony Bloom, and strategic summer acquisitions like Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis, Hearts supporters are optimistic about significantly improving from last season’s seventh-place finish.

McInnes, while cautious not to overstate expectations, acknowledges that his team has been preparing well for the challenge posed by Celtic’s visit.

“I believe we’re ready, and I think our fans feel prepared as well. Tynecastle will be geared up for this,” remarked McInnes, who has previously managed St Johnstone, Bristol City, Aberdeen, and Kilmarnock. “Our past performances, some of which have been impressive, don’t assure us of anything.”

Derek McInnes is quietly confident his side can record a statement win against visitors Celtic

Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland have been in fine form and will be key men again

Celtic have been dealt another injury blow with the news that Carter-Vickers is sidelined

“Facing Celtic requires us to be at our best. We must perform exceptionally to secure a result, but we’re eager for the opportunity. We’re confident that we have it in us to deliver a winning performance,” he added.

‘We’ve got to try and maintain good levels, keep trying to improve and see where it takes us. But I do think a good gauge of that will come against Celtic.’

McInnes is paying little attention to suggestions that Rodgers’ side are a fading force this season.

Celtic have failed to score in six of their matches — a higher tally than the whole of last season — and will be without the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho as well as long-term absentee Jota at Tynecastle.

‘Whoever we play, I don’t care whether they’re in good form or poor form,’ added McInnes.

‘We recognise that Celtic are a tough game for us. It always is. I’ve played against Brendan’s teams often enough and he’s such a top manager, top operator, and Celtic are littered with top players, so we’ve got our work cut out to get a result.

McInnes is refusing to get carried away but is fully aware of the magnitude of the Celtic clash

‘All I’m focusing on is us trying to be the toughest opponent for them and make sure our performance gives us a chance. I can’t be dependent on any opponent, whether they’re poor or whether they’re strong.

‘Sometimes, like every other team, they might not be on point, but for us, it’s up to us to be fully concentrated in the game and try to impose ourselves on the game.’

Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti is taking the challenge of Hearts very seriously.

‘They have shown that they are a really good team,’ said the Tunisian. ‘For us, every game is really serious, so we have to take everyone serious. If it’s Hearts or Rangers or Dundee, we have to take everyone serious.

‘It’s going to be a massive game at a difficult place, but we’re going to go there to get a result.

‘Every game when you play for Celtic is really important. When you play for Celtic, it’s a massive club, you have to win every game, you have to play well every game, so every game is really important.

‘But of course, it’s maybe something different because they are doing well and they are in first place at the moment, so it’s going to be a good game.’