Hearts' Form Crisis Deepens as Shankland Out Ahead of Pivotal Celtic Clash on December 7
Heart of Midlothian FC’s once-promising start to the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season has unraveled in the most painful way — a 1-0 loss to Aberdeen at Pittodrie on November 23, 2025, their fourth league match without a win. Now, with captain and top scorer Lawrence Shankland sidelined by an undisclosed injury, and head coach Derek McInnes under mounting scrutiny, the Edinburgh club heads into Sunday’s showdown with Celtic FC not just as underdogs, but as a team in crisis. The match, set for 15:00 UTC at Celtic Park, isn’t just another fixture — it’s a litmus test for Hearts’ entire season.
Form Collapse and the Shankland Void
Just five weeks ago, Hearts were unbeaten in the league. Now, they’ve managed just one win in four matches — three draws, one defeat. The loss to Aberdeen wasn’t just about the scoreline; it was about absence. No spark. No cutting edge. Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd put it bluntly: "They had lovely touches, but never really created much... It just wasn’t to be for Hearts in front of goal." And the biggest reason? Lawrence Shankland wasn’t there. The 29-year-old striker, who’d netted 11 goals in 13 league appearances before the Aberdeen game, is now ruled out for at least three fixtures — including the crucial match against Motherwell on November 29 and Kilmarnock on December 13 — leaving McInnes with a glaring gap in his attack.
Shankland isn’t just a goalscorer. He’s the focal point. His hold-up play, his movement, his ability to draw defenders — it all evaporates without him. In his absence, Hearts have looked disjointed. Midfielders are trying to carry the ball into the box. Wingers are cutting inside, hoping for magic. It’s not working. "We’re not perfect," McInnes said after the Aberdeen defeat. "We knew that." But knowing it and fixing it are two different things — especially when your best player is on the sidelines.
McInnes Under Fire
Derek McInnes, 53, is no stranger to pressure. He’s led Hearts to cup finals and European nights. But this isn’t about tactical missteps — it’s about momentum. The team that started the season with a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions now looks brittle. The 2025-26 Premier Sports Cup has been a bright spot — four wins from four, 16 goals scored, just one conceded. But cup football is different. League form is what defines title challenges.
And the clock is ticking. With Celtic leading the table after a dramatic 1-0 win over St Mirren on the same day Hearts lost to Aberdeen, the gap is widening. Rangers, too, are surging under interim boss Danny Röhl. Hibernian sit second on goal difference after beating Dundee 2-0. Hearts, once in the top three, are now clinging to sixth. "It’s one win in four," Boyd said. "You maybe start to be a little bit worried." That’s not just media noise — it’s the mood inside Tynecastle.
The Celtic Shadow
The history between these two clubs is lopsided. Since March 2024, Celtic have won five of the last six meetings — including a 3-0 thrashing in March 2025 and a 4-1 demolition at Tynecastle last November. The last time Hearts beat Celtic at Celtic Park? 2018. The last time they took points from them in Glasgow? 2020. This isn’t just a match — it’s a psychological hurdle.
Celtic, meanwhile, are playing with confidence. Their win over St Mirren wasn’t pretty — it was stoppage-time heroics from Kyogo Furuhashi — but it’s the kind of result champions make. They’ve won 11 of their 13 league games. They’re clinical. They’re composed. And they’re coming to Edinburgh’s rivals with zero mercy.
Ownership and Expectations
There’s another layer to this story: money. In October 2024, Tony Bloom, the 63-year-old owner of Brighton & Hove Albion FC, bought a 29% stake in Hearts for £9.86 million. It was hailed as a vote of confidence. A bridge between English and Scottish football. But now, with Hearts’ form collapsing, that investment is being watched — not just for financial returns, but for influence. Are Bloom’s advisors pushing for tactical changes? Is there pressure to reshuffle the coaching staff? The club hasn’t said. But fans are asking.
The SPFL, headquartered in Glasgow, governs this entire ecosystem. But behind the scenes, ownership dynamics are shifting. Hearts aren’t just a club — they’re a business with international backers. And when results don’t match expectations, those backers start asking questions.
What Comes Next?
Before the Celtic clash, Hearts face Falkirk at Tynecastle on December 3 — a match they must win to keep momentum alive. Then, on December 27, they travel to Easter Road to face Hibernian. If they lose to Celtic and stumble against Falkirk, the season could unravel. McInnes needs a miracle. Or at least a goal-scoring striker.
Shankland’s recovery timeline remains undisclosed. Medical staff are optimistic he’ll return before the New Year — but that’s too late for the Celtic game. In the meantime, McInnes must rely on 21-year-old winger Alex Kyziridis and 24-year-old midfielder Claudio Braga — both praised earlier this season, but both silent in recent matches.
This isn’t just about one game. It’s about identity. Hearts have spent years rebuilding their reputation as a club that competes. Now, they risk slipping back into the mid-table mediocrity they’ve fought so hard to escape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How critical is Lawrence Shankland’s injury to Hearts’ title hopes?
Extremely. Shankland has scored 11 league goals in 13 games this season — nearly half of Hearts’ total. Without him, the team has averaged just 0.8 goals per game in their last four matches, down from 2.1 in their first nine. His absence removes the focal point of their attack and forces midfielders into unfamiliar roles, reducing their threat in the final third.
Why is Derek McInnes under pressure despite his past success?
McInnes delivered European football and cup finals in previous seasons, but this campaign was supposed to be different — with top-four ambitions and a strong squad. After a 10-match unbeaten run to start the season, the sudden drop to one win in four league games — coupled with a lack of goals — has raised questions about tactical rigidity and squad depth. Fans expect progress, not stagnation.
How does Tony Bloom’s ownership affect Hearts’ decisions?
Bloom’s 29% stake, acquired for £9.86 million, gives him influence over major strategic decisions, including transfers and coaching appointments. While he hasn’t intervened publicly, his background with Brighton — known for data-driven management — suggests he expects results to match investment. A prolonged slump could trigger behind-the-scenes scrutiny of McInnes’ methods.
What’s the historical significance of Celtic vs. Hearts in this fixture?
Celtic have won 5 of the last 6 meetings, including a 3-0 win in March 2025 and a 4-1 rout in November 2024. Hearts’ last away win at Celtic Park was in 2018. The psychological edge is overwhelming. For Hearts, beating Celtic isn’t just about points — it’s about proving they belong in the same conversation.
Could Hearts still challenge for the title despite their recent form?
Unlikely. Celtic are 10 points clear after 13 games. Even if Hearts win all remaining matches, they’d need Celtic to drop 15+ points in the final 19 games — a near-impossible scenario. The realistic goal now is securing a top-six finish and European qualification. The title is out of reach unless a collapse from Celtic occurs — which, given their current form, seems improbable.
How does Hearts’ cup success compare to their league struggles?
Hearts have won all four Premier Sports Cup matches with a +15 goal difference — a clear sign of a different team in knockout football. But cup games are one-off, with lower stakes and less pressure. League form reflects consistency, and that’s where Hearts are failing. The cup run is encouraging, but it doesn’t fix the underlying issues in their league play.