It is the title race the world is watching and it all comes down to one final showdown, live on Sky Sports.
Derek McInnes’ Hearts just need to avoid defeat at Celtic Park to be crowned Scottish Premiership champions, but Martin O’Neill’s Hoops are determined to fight until the end.
For 10 minutes on Wednesday night the Jambos were in dreamland while Celtic trailed at Motherwell, but penalty controversy means the Hoops fans believe they can make it five-in-a-row in a season like no other.
McInnes believes he has a side “capable of winning the league” and that confidence comes from the fact they have led the way virtually all season.
They also have not lost against Celtic, home or away.
But O’Neill has returned to Parkhead twice this season to steady the ship and drag them back into title contention.
Since losing to Dundee United at Tannadice Park in March, they have won seven in a row in all competitions, with the six in the league to cut Hearts’ lead at the top.
Do not expect a straightforward afternoon in the East End of Glasgow this weekend.
‘What a game it’s going to be’
Hearts could feel hard done by after being denied a penalty in their 1-1 draw at Motherwell before Celtic were awarded a late spot kick in Lanarkshire.
But for McInnes, the focus is on clinching the title and not on hard luck stories.
“Sometimes in life, you’ve got to beat the best team. The best team for years now have been Celtic,” the 54-year-old told Sky Sports.
“We’ve managed to give a really good record against them.
“To do it, we’re going to have to go and get a positive result.
“I’m looking forward to it already. There’ll be no feeling sorry for ourselves.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of Hearts against Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.
“What a game it’s going to be.”
“It’s difficult in any game, because nobody plays football to draw a game.
“It’s a difficult mindset when players are tuned to win games, to go and try and just play for a point.
“Celtic are in good form. You’ve got to say that Martin has done so well to get them into this position.
“It’s perfect in terms of drama for you guys, for Scottish football. It’s perfect in that sense.
“We’re just delighted we’re part of it. The main point now is to make sure we go and try and win the title.”
‘Impossibility becomes a possibility’
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Martin O’Neill post match after jubilant result against Motherwell
Celtic have won 13 of the last 14 Scottish titles, but turmoil on and off the pitch had many believing their dominance was at an end.
Brendan Rodgers was sacked, enter Martin O’Neill. Wilfried Nancy then took charge, but O’Neill was soon back at the helm after the Frenchman’s disasterous spell.
The veteran manager won three titles during his first spell as Celtic boss. Could he deliver an unexpected fourth?
“Do you know what I’m delighted for? At least we’ve got a chance,” he told Sky Sports after their late win at Fir Park.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic.
“We take it into the final game of the season. That looked an unearthly impossibility five or six weeks ago.
“The thing I noticed about this side, whatever we lack, and we lack certain things, heart is not part of it.
“They were absolutely fantastic. They kept going to the very, very end, as they’ve been doing now for quite some considerable months.
“It was a brilliant effort, really, really brilliant.”
What the pundits say
Hearts are one point clear of Celtic ahead on their final day decider
Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd
“A huge decision at the end of the Celtic game. From a Scottish football point of view, the eyes of the world are going to be on that game.
“A huge, huge game now. Hearts have to focus on themselves. They navigated their way through it with another clean sheet.
“Celtic Park is a daunting place to go but Hearts have been there and shown they can put on a performance. It’s not over but it will be very difficult.”
Former Hearts and Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley
“Hearts have shown it before, going to Celtic Park earlier in the season and getting the positive result.
“Now it is about getting the players nice and relaxed and saying ‘this is your opportunity – you might only get one shot at this, to win the title’. Give it your best shot and see where it takes you.
“On the other hand, Martin O’Neill was thinking six or seven weeks ago they were out of the title race and now they have an opportunity.
“I think it is great for Scottish football we are talking like this. One game to go and either team can win the title.”
Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates scoring Celtic’s winning goal at Motherwell from a penalty deep into stoppage time
Hearts legend John Robertson
“From a Hearts perspective you are raging.
“Going to Celtic Park and knowing that a 3-0 victory for Celtic wins them the title is a different ballgame to Celtic just having to win.
“It didn’t guarantee Hearts the title tonight, but it made things a lot healthier for Hearts going to Celtic Park on Saturday.
“It is what it is now, and you see the obvious disappointment. Derek McInnes will tell the players to relax and prepare for Saturday. Strip everything back and take away all the dodgy decisions in the last three games, take away everything that has happened in the first 37 matches – Hearts are a point clear going to Celtic Park.
“Any Hearts fan, player or manager would have taken that at the start of the season.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
