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Hearts manager Derek McInnes confirms Claudio Braga has been struggling with injury and is on the bench as a result.

“It’s the first time we’ve had to play three games in a week and his recovery has been a bit more challenging,” McInnes tells BBC Scotland. “He’s keen to play his part and he will play his part. It’s difficult leaving him out but hopefully he comes on fresh.

“Pierre Landry Kabore has done well against Celtic, they’ll remember him from last time at Tynecastle. Yes, you lose a wee bit with Braga but you gain from Kabore. The other changes are tactical.”

McInnes adds: “I’m looking forward to it. I like the early start, just getting up and getting on with it. The game is finely poised, it’s perfect in the sense of the story in the league.

“We’re up against a team who have got so much to play for as well. I’m confident if we can deliver what we’ve delivered throughout the majority of the season we can get it over the line.

“We’re not playing 60,000 fans, we’re playing the team. This place will be bedlam, we’ve just got to make sure we’re not gifting opportunities unnecessarily.

“I’ve never been so close to winning a league title as a manager. The opportunity is there, I fully believe in the players. If they’ve got as much belief in themselves as I have then they’ll get the job done today.”

Image source, SNS