JOHN SOUTTAR has returned to the Hearts side to face Celtic at Tynecastle tonight while Matt O'Riley is given his debut for Celtic.

Robbie Neilson has brought Souttar back into the starting XI for the match after he vercame an ankle knock which kept him out against Auchinleck at the weekend.

The defender has been the subject of January transfer interest from Rangers who had a bid to bring him to Ibrox early after agreeing a pre-contract deal thrown out.

For Celtic there are a number of changes with Callum McGregor, Yosuke Ideguchi both injured and Daizen Maeda on internation duty.

It means a starting spot for O'Riley after sealing a move from MK Dons. 

Reo Hatate returns to the side after being benched for the win over Alloa at the weekend with Giorgos Giakoumakis keeping his spot up-front.

HEARTS XI: Gordon, Smith, Kingsley, Souttar, Haring, Boyce, Devlin, Cochrane, McKay, Halkett, Ginnelly.

Subs: Stewart, Banningime, McEneff, Woodburn, Mackay-Steven, Atkinson, Halliday, Simms, Henderson.

CELTIC XI: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, Bitton, O'Riley, Hatate, Forrest, Jota, Giakoumakis.

Subs: Bain, Jullien, Scales, Abada, Soro, McCarthy, Ralston, Welsh, Doak.