THE League Cup could now be said to have started for real.

It is a competition that has many detractors, but the prospect of Hearts and Celtic fighting out a quarter-final tie under the floodlights at a frenzied Tynecastle is always likely to capture the imagination.

Celtic enjoyed success over Hearts in both knockout competitions last season – 3-0 in the League Cup and 4-0 in the Scottish Cup – but next month's meeting promises to be a more difficult test for Ronny Deila’s men.

Robbie Neilson has put together a strong squad and, after earning a goalless draw at Parkhead in the Premiership on Saturday, the Edinburgh side will fancy their chances of eliminating the League Cup holders on their own patch.

John Kennedy, the Celtic first-team coach, was at Hampden Park yesterday for a draw that threw up some tasty ties, none more so than the one involving his own team.

Kennedy said: “When it comes to this stage of the draw, there are a lot of tough games available and it comes no tougher than away to Hearts. It will be a great match when it comes around.

“We were convincing in our victories over them in the cups last season, but I think they showed at the weekend, especially in the second half, they are defensively very well organised. We found them difficult to break down. We should have taken our chances in the first half but didn’t.

“Robbie has got them very organised and disciplined. Although they didn’t cause us too many problems coming forward, they are very difficult to play against. Based on last season, when we scored a few goals against them, it’s a lesson they have learned.

“Tynecastle is somewhere I always enjoyed playing. The fans are right on top of you and our support always take up their full allocation.

“It will be a great game and that’s what you want in Scottish football. If it’s on TV, then it looks so much better.”

It remains to be seen whether Carlton Cole will be a Celtic player by the time the last-eight tie takes place in the final week of next month.

The former West Ham United striker is now back in London contemplating his next move. Deila wants one more striker and if a deal for the soon-to-be 32-year-old cannot be struck, then they will move for someone else.

Celtic will need an answer soon, one way or the other.

Kennedy said: “Carlton trained with us for a week. He is fit enough, but he hasn’t had football training or any games this season, so it was difficult to judge him properly. He is obviously a good guy who came in and trained really well.

“It’s now been left with the manager, Peter Lawwell and Carlton’s representatives. We will see where it goes from here, but it’s too early to say if he could make any impact for us in Europe further down the line. He’s not our player at the moment.

“I’m not sure where it has been left, to be honest. The manager spoke to him before he left and said he’d be in touch.

“Peter was going to deal with speaking to his representatives to see what the deal was going to be. It obviously has to be something that is good for both parties if a deal is to be done.”

Jozo Simonovic remains a doubt for Thursday’s Europa League visit of Fenerbahce, and, with such a congested fixture schedule, Kennedy knows how important it is to keep the squad as healthy as possible.

The Celtic coach said: “The big games keep on coming and that’s the joy of being at Celtic. It doesn’t stop, it’s quite relentless. You need to make sure you keep the squad in the best condition you can, so everyone is available whenever they are called upon.

“Hopefully Jozo will be fit. He has started light training again and will hopefully rejoin the rest of the group on Tuesday. Hopefully we will go into Thursday with a near enough fully-fit squad.”