Heart of Midlothian 0 - 2 Celtic

Hearts v Celtic: Preview

Updated: November 1, 2008, 4:53 PM UK

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo is set to welcome back winger Andy Driver and goalkeeper Marian Kello from injury for Sunday's Premier League visit of champions Celtic.

Uganda international David Obua is also set to return after being sidelined with a muscle problem.

The match has come to soon for right-sided midfielder Laryea Kingston, however, as the Ghanian has a knock to the leg.

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo believes players are more prone to losing their cool in the so-called bigger matches against the likes of Celtic.

Hungarian Laszlo is yet to pit his wits against Celtic but is well aware his players will be heading into the clash with an extra spring in their step - something that could prove costly.

He said: "I don't do anything different just because of the opponents we play. They always come here to win.

"But Celtic is different. They are one of the biggest clubs in the country and if you play against a club like that you have all the motivation you need.

"Sometimes you have extra motivation and that can be dangerous if you have a player who is over-motivated and we must try and hold them back.''

Laszlo is looking forward to what will arguably be the biggest test of his career in Scotland to date and admits he has left no stone unturned in drawing up a game-plan.

He added: "I can't look inside the heads of the people at Celtic but we have had a lot of chances to watch them in the Champions League.

"We had the chance to watch them against Kilmarnock this week and we have a lot of information on them.

"Celtic are a great team and we have had two very good games recently against Hibs and Aberdeen, although the results were not the best.

"So now I hope against Celtic we can get the three points.''

Skipper Stephen McManus has been added to Celtic's squad after recovering from a tight hamstring.

Midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura, who was substituted in Wednesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final win at Kilmarnock with a thigh injury, is also fit again.

Defender Glenn Loovens missed the trip to Ayrshire with a thigh injury picked up against Hibernian last week and joins Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Chris Killen, Georgios Samaras and Marc Crosas on the sidelines.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan expects the usual war of attrition against Hearts.

The Hoops will look to cement their place at the top of the table before they turn their attention to next Wednesday's Champions League Group E clash with Manchester United at Parkhead.

The Hearts versus Celtic fixture is traditionally one of the most keenly-fought in the football calendar, although Strachan believes every game brings a challenge.

Strachan said: "They are all difficult. The Hibs game recently was going to be difficult and we won. We went to Kilmarnock, the team that was third in the league, and we had to play well to win there.

"It's the same build-up to every game. At the stadiums we go to, everyone is looking forward to the game.

"The fans are looking forward to it, the players are looking forward to it but we have to deal with that.

"And we have to deal with teams who are going to try harder against us than they did the previous week because of the atmosphere, the build-up and everything that goes with it.

"We've never been to Tynecastle where it's not been quick and frantic.

"We have to be ready for it but, so far, we've done okay.''