A stern test at Tynecastle awaits as always and the Celtic manager will not be able to call on some key individuals through injury and international call-ups.

However, one player’s loss is another’s gain and with five players arriving in January already, Ange Postecoglou knows he has reinforcements ready to make their mark.

“The new signings don’t need to impress me,” he said. We’ve brought them in because we think they’ll be comfortable and be able to contribute to our set-up.

'Reo Hatate has already had that taste and I’m sure Matt O’Riley will get his over the next couple of games.'

“That’s why we brought them in, we think they can help us. We have a couple missing so that’s why we need a squad and those guys and others will get their opportunity.

“We stay alert and agile in the window and there still could be things that happen and I’m still looking for loans for some of our younger players.

“From our perspective, our planning is going to schedule so far and hopefully that continue until the end of the window.”

Speaking exclusively to Celtic TV, the manager said he is looking forward to returning to Tynecastle as he hopes to see the winning streak continue.

He said: “We’ve played them twice since then, so this will be the fourth time we will play them.

“I think that first game is irrelevant to either side and it’s more important that we keep looking at the next challenge and improve our football and the areas we need to improve in.

“At the same time, we’ve maintained a really good consistency in results and performance over the last three months so we want to continue that.”

Hearts themselves are flying high in the Premiership, currently sitting comfortably in third place under Robbie Neilson.

Ange Postecoglou looking forward to return trip to Tynecastle