Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou promised there would be "no violin playing" if his key men were absent for a monumental showdown with Rangers due to international duty.
But there's no doubt the Australian will be at a disadvantage with a trio of his rhythm section missing for the big one.
Celtic fans know all about the magic that Kyogo and Tom Rogic can provide, the pair have been excellent under Postecoglou this season.
The former is out through injury but compatriot Daizen Maeda has been called up for Japan's World Cup qualifying double header with China and Saudi Arabia.
Talk about a triple blow.
Maeda made an instant impact with his opener against Hibs and his non-stop haranguing of Shaun Maloney's defenders proved he's player of real value.
Rangers also don't have their problems to seek, with Alfredo Morelos away with Colombia and Joe Aribo a decent bet to still be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. Kemar Roofe is another who could get the call from Jamaica.
But there's no sense of waving the white flag in Glasgow's east end, especially when the core of a side who have only conceded 12 league goals all season will be in place.
Record Sport looks at how the Celtic boss could line up ahead of two vital fixtures sandwiched between a clash with Dundee United.
Potential starting XI vs Hearts
The defence doesn't quite pick itself, but Greg Taylor's return has allowed Josip Juranovic to move over to right-back. Tony Ralston's resurgence has been one of the feel-good stories in Scottish football this season but he might have to bide his time for now.
Midfield is where it gets interesting, Nir Bitton is on the mend but Yosuke Ideguchi could earn the chance to marshal the midfield. That would allow skipper Callum McGregor to push up to his old position as an '8', a role many believe remains his best, and join star turn Reo Hatate in driving the team forward.
The urge for Giorgios Giakoumakis to start will be strong, especially against a rugged Hearts back three, however, Liel Abada has been electric through the middle and a trio of the Israeli, Jota and James Forrest should cause problems at Tynecastle for the hosts, while leaving Giakoumakis as a different option from the bench.
Decisions, decisions
Potential starting XI vs Rangers
If Celtic win well against Hearts and against Dundee United on January 29, then it might be a case of keeping things the status quo.
Ralston might miss out against Hearts but the way his season has gone, a clash with Rangers under the lights feels deserved for a player in the form of his life.
The Scotland cap starting could be the right call, he understands the fixture and did a decent job up against Ryan Kent in the 1-0 defeat in August.
In this team, we have Greg Taylor dropping to the bench and Juranovic moving back to his now not so unfamiliar left-back role.
There might also be a compelling case for the return of Bitton to the base of the midfield. That again would allow McGregor to work higher up the pitch to mitigate the absence of both Rogic and David Turnbull.
New signing Matt O'Riley will hope to be in the mix but it's a lot to ask of a 21-year-old to be dropped into the fiercest fixture around.
But don't rule him out, he speaks like a veteran and doesn't appeared overawed by the step up from English League One to a Premiership title fight.
We've gone with Giakoumakis to lead the line, his hold-up play, at times, has been impressive and his job will be two-fold, to bring others into the game and get onto at least one of the many crosses that is likely to come his way.
Abada and Forrest is a coin toss but let's say the Israeli gets the nod.
