Celtic star hails 'best ever' performance of teammate as warning issued to Hearts - 'we owe them'

Hearts, whose last league title success was in 1960, are eyeing a third victory of the season over Celtic that would take them nine points clear of the defending champions at the Scottish Premiership summit.

It is the first time Hearts have faced a Martin O'Neill side this term with their previous victories over Celtic coming against teams managed by Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy.

O'Neill has won all seven league games he has presided over across his two spells in charge and Scales believes Hearts will come up against a different Celtic in the biggest game of the season to date.

“We know how they play. We know their strengths. We know they're a solid team," the Republic of Ireland international said. "They have good players all over the park. They have threats in their forward areas.

"I think we do owe them. We weren't at our best when we played them both times. We owe ourselves a good performance against them as well. I think that's key.

"I have massive respect for how they've done this season so far. They have been really good and you have to give them that credit. We just want to approach it the same way we have been approaching it in the last few games.

“I don't think it's a title decider or anything like that but it's a massive game. We know what's at stake."

‘European exertions - no problem’

Celtic arrive in Gorgie just three days after a 2-2 away draw with Bologna in the Europa League where they played around 60 minutes with 10 men following the first-half red card for Reo Hatate.

Scales, however, is not concerned about the squad suffering any lasting effects from the exertions in Italy.

“I don't think that should affect us," he stressed. "We have a really strong squad and we have a really fit squad. “I don't think that should affect us. We're used to playing games back-to-back, two or three days after each other. It shouldn't really be a problem.”

Scales hailed defensive partner Auston Trusty for his midweek display in Italy, which has been regarded by many as his best performance for the club.

“He's been brilliant," Scales said. "I’d say it was up there with the best performance I've ever had from a centre-back partner. It felt like every ball that came in our box, it was like a magnet on his head.

“He was making blocks. He was absolutely brilliant. That's all playing on his weaker side. It's a credit to him. That's a difficult place to be, especially as a left-footer. It's very rare for a left-footer to play on the wrong side.

“Even on the ball, he uses the ball really well. You know what you're going to get from him defensively. He's physically strong and he's also got pace. Thursday night, he was brilliant.

“I think we've played with each other enough now to know each other's games. That's where you want to be. In a partnership, you want to have that. We know each other's strengths.

“Once you have a run of games together, it gets easier and easier. You just need to concentrate and cover each other when you need to cover each other. It all comes with playing together. It's been really enjoyable.”