As things stand, both Hearts and Rangers sit above Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table.
Hearts hold a six-point lead at the top, while Rangers moved three clear of Celtic after the Hoops’ trip to Aberdeen was postponed.
With the SPFL now working to reschedule the fixture, Martin O’Neill has been handed an unexpected opportunity to rest his squad ahead of the Scottish Cup clash with Dundee at Celtic Park. Squad rotation looks likely — and that’s exactly why this situation could concern both Hearts and Rangers in the title race.
Three reasons the postponement could benefit Celtic
Celtic’s title defence remains O’Neill’s top priority, and missing the Aberdeen game provides valuable recovery time during a demanding run of fixtures.
The squad has looked fatigued in recent weeks, so a short break could help players recharge as the schedule intensifies.
Secondly, the extra training time allows the club’s three deadline-day additions to better adapt to O’Neill’s tactical demands. Without the immediate pressure of matches, Junior Adamu, Benjamin Arthur and Joel Mvuka can build chemistry with teammates behind the scenes.
Will the new signings feature against Dundee?
The midweek rest opens the door for further rotation in the cup tie.
Arthur could be introduced in central defence, potentially giving Liam Scales a breather. His versatility makes him an option on either side of a pairing. Mvuka may also come in for Yang, offering the winger a chance to impress.
The former Ligue 1 attacker has shown promise, and facing a struggling Dundee side could boost his confidence.
Adamu, meanwhile, may begin on the bench as Tomáš Čvančara looks to continue his strong early form since arriving on loan.
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