It has been the most infuriating of seasons for Celtic fans to endure - that is until recent weeks. In the past few games there's been signs of life in the East end of Glasgow. Tony Mowbray has his men playing with confidence once more.

The transition has been quite spectacular when you think about it. Just cast your mind back to Tel Aviv a couple of months ago, then even more recently to Dundee when Craig Levein's United side walked all over the Hoops in the closing minutes. At those junctures I really couldn't have foreseen such a rapid change in fortunes for the new Parkhead gaffer. Somehow Mowbray has found a formula that is working more consistently, and far more efficiently; his team simply have more balance now.

It really is hard to work out though how Celtic have made the U-turn, but in my opinion it's been down to a slight change in tactics, and direction. At the start of the season Mowbray utilised a very attacking formation, with the likes of Scott Brown featuring in the same team as two wingers (McGeady and Maloney) and at least one striker. Since the manager tried Barry Robson on the right flank in Germany against Hamburg, the Hoops have looked more resilient and solid. Robson does like to attack, but he also realises his defensive duties – he, I think, has really helped Celtic turn the corner.

Then of course there's the return to form of the enigmatic Georgios Samaras, and the return to fitness of Marc-Antoine Fortune. The former looks like a new man (do you remember the big Greek against Hearts in the League Cup a few weeks ago – he could have had a thousand shots that night and still not scored!). When Samaras plays to his full potential he can be lethal – and we saw a rare glimpse of that against Motherwell at Fir Park last weekend. Fortune has also had his critics in recent times, and rightly so. I remember him playing up at Tannadice in front of the ESPN cameras last month, and although he was just back from injury, his confidence looked very low. Now though you'd back him to score, his goal at Motherwell last week has seemingly done him the world of good. He carried that form into the game against Rapid Vienna midweek – and got Celtic back into the game with a great swivelling finish. If those two remain hot, then Celtic will continue their impressive run well into the New Year.

Now that's the Hoops, but as for their opposition this weekend, well frankly it's hard to be so optimistic about Hearts. Csaba Laszlo's team have been a sorry state this season. Ok, I concede that injuries and suspensions have both been cruel to them, but aside from the excuses, some of their performances have just not been anywhere near good enough. The Jambos fans deserve more commitment and spirit from their men. I really couldn't believe what I was seeing at New Douglas Park a couple of weeks back when Hamilton walked all over Hearts in the first-half. The brawl that marked the end of the torrid encounter for the Edinburgh side just about summed it all up – they saved their aggression for the tunnel! Their supporters want to see that out on the green stuff.

Hearts need to replicate their performance against Celtic in the League Cup match of a few weeks ago. Yes Celtic have improved greatly since then, but at least the Tynecastle side played some nice flowing football that evening. Michael Stewart passed the ball well, Christian Nade used his power effectively and Andy Driver tore Celtic apart in the closing stages (just ask Stephen McManus – he would still be chasing the winger now if he hadn't cynically scythed him down). Driver has been sorely missed of late – and his knee is still causing him problems. He won't take part at Tynecastle this weekend on the park, but I'm pleased to say, he will off of it. Andy will join me pitchside pre-match for a chat about his team's fortunes – so watch out for that on ESPN this Sunday.

I'm not sure which Hearts will turn up for the encounter, but one thing's for sure – Tony Mowbray can expect a warm welcome from the home support. They will not have forgotten about his managerial past, I can guarantee you that. Listen for the boos when he reaches the dugout before the game! And enjoy our coverage on an ice-cold Scottish Sunday.

Earlier this season Rangers went three SPL games in a row without a goal, something they had never done in all the years since the SPL had been in existence, and now they find themselves without a goal in two games heading to Falkirk (albeit one match was against Stuttgart).

Quite simply, it’s not championship form, and Walter Smith will be hoping his strikers can find their scoring touch against the Bairns, or else he may find his club a few points adrift of Celtic heading into the heavy Christmas fixture list.

The man who missed most of the chances a week ago against Aberdeen was the enigmatic Kris Boyd - he really is a conundrum. He once again leads the goalscoring chart in the top flight, but if he’s to finish as Xmas number one, then he will need to start taking his chances.

We will have an exclusive interview with the Rangers striker in the lead-up to the Falkirk game, and it will be very interesting to hear what he has to say, because he will know only too well that he’s not been at the top of his game in recent weeks. In fact, having openly declared he wanted his opportunity to start in the Champions League (and then being granted it by Walter Smith), Boyd failed to shine.

He missed the one glaring chance Rangers had against Stuttgart, and perhaps that knocked his confidence ahead of the clash at Pittodrie - whether that’s the case or not, he must not let those games play on his mind away at Falkirk.

Smith also confessed after the Aberdeen game that he craves a creative wide player; one who can take players on and produce a quality end result - a good ball into the box (something in all fairness Boyd hasn’t had much of in recent times). Unfortunately it’s a mute point as the Gers will not have money to spend in January, so they will have to make do with what they have already got (John Fleck). Jerome Rothen was signed in the summer, but he has not lived up to his billing, and has been ill of late. The Frenchman doesn’t have the pace to beat a defender, although perhaps he does have the ability to send in a searching final ball (hence why Smith has utilised him on the right when he’s been fit - so he can cut back and cross into the box). Service will once again be key on Saturday.

Falkirk on the other hand will no doubt feel they have a chance against Rangers at home. Eddie May has got his team playing some good stuff, and even although they lost at Hibs a week back, they showed that they are a much-improved side. I admire the job May has done, without any real funds, and I admire the decision of the Falkirk board to stick with him even in troubled times. A few weeks back Falkirk showed real class, as well as fight, against Celtic (when they finished with a point in a 3-3 draw), and May will be asking for more of the same against Rangers. If they can pass the ball with the same accuracy against this half of the Old Firm then I don’t see any reason why they can’t finish with a similar result.

It certainly will be an interesting game in front of the ESPN cameras - and don’t choke on your lunch if you hear our commentator Derek Rae announce that Pele is starting for Falkirk. No the legend hasn’t come out of retirement, the Bairns have signed his namesake, and we expect him to start.