Celtic go into Sunday still top of the Scottish Premiership with 21 points from eight matches, and they lead the title race by two points. That is the solid part of the story. The harder part is Thursday's 4-1 loss to Benfica and a wider run that has brought four defeats in their latest five outings before Heart Of Midlothian arrive at Celtic Park.

Celtic's league numbers still look strong

Domestic form is the reason this should be treated as a wobble, not a full-blown crisis. Celtic are first in the Premiership, have won seven of eight league matches, and their goal difference stands at 16 scored and four conceded.

The longer run is even stronger. They have won 14 of their past 15 league games, which is why they still sit two points clear despite the noise around the last few results.

That contrast is what makes Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian a timely fixture. Celtic's league pace has been elite, but the defeats have started to bunch together. The loss to Benfica followed other setbacks in recent weeks, and three defeats are listed within their last five results.

BBC Sport's match preview framed Martin O'Neill's view in these terms: "Martin O'Neill, though, is stressing the quality of their hosts and taking positives from an improved second-half display in Lisbon."

Even allowing for the awkward wording, the message is clear enough. Celtic do not have much room to sulk over Europe because the league leaders now need a clean response at home.

Hearts have enough to make this awkward

Hearts are not turning up as passengers. Their overall run of one defeat in 13 gives this game more edge than a standard top-versus-chaser meeting, and they have won twice in their latest six visits to Celtic Park.

Still, their away league form is the bit Celtic will look at first. Hearts have won only twice in their past 11 away league games and have kept no clean sheet in that stretch. So while they are in decent enough overall shape, there is a fair question over whether they can fully cash in if Celtic start nervously.

That is where the balance of this matchup sits. Hearts have enough recent form to test a side coming off a heavy European defeat, but Celtic's league record remains the strongest fact on the page. Seven wins from eight, 21 points, and only four goals conceded in the Premiership is not the profile of a team that has lost control domestically.

Sunday's game is about whether Celtic can separate their league form from their recent broader slump quickly. They meet Hearts at Celtic Park with a two-point lead and the chance to show that Thursday's 4-1 defeat was a bad night, not the start of something bigger.

FAQ

Will Celtic's loss to Benfica affect their Scottish Premiership form against Hearts?

It makes Sunday's game a real test. Celtic are still top of the Premiership with 21 points from eight matches and have won 14 of their past 15 league games, but the 4-1 loss to Benfica came in the middle of a rougher spell. They have also suffered four defeats in their latest five outings, so the response matters.

Are Hearts good enough away from home to punish Celtic right now?

Hearts arrive with credible form overall, with one defeat in 13, but their away league record is the main doubt. They have won only twice in their past 11 away league games and have not kept a clean sheet in that run. That makes them dangerous, but not an obvious favourite to exploit Celtic's wobble.

Is Celtic in crisis before playing Hearts at Celtic Park?

The recent run has been poor, but calling it a full crisis goes too far on the available evidence. Celtic still lead the Premiership by two points, have 21 points from eight matches, and have won seven of those eight league games. The wobble is real, especially after the Benfica defeat, yet their domestic control is still intact.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →