The fate of the Scottish Premiership title will be decided on Saturday at Parkhead, where Celtic need a win to be crowned champions for the 56th time in their history, while Hearts can win the title for the first time in 66 years and for the fifth time overall if they win or draw.
Those are the bare facts, but they do not reflect the weight of history surrounding the match or reveal any of the drama and anger that unfolded in Wednesday’s thrilling penultimate round.
No team other than Celtic or Rangers has won the Scottish league since Aberdeen were crowned champions in 1985, but as every generation of Hearts fans knows, that dominance could, and perhaps should, have started a year later.
In 1986, Hearts went into the final round needing only a draw against Dundee United to win the title, and were on course to do so until the last seven minutes, when they conceded two late goals and lost 2-0. At the same time, Celtic crushed St Mirren 5-0 to win the title on goal difference, leaving the Edinburgh club devastated.
This season, Hearts have led the league since September, giving their long-suffering supporters hope that their moment had finally arrived.
However, a superb winning run from Celtic, who rediscovered their strength after the temporary return of former manager Martin O’Neill, has cut the gap and created the extraordinary drama seen on Wednesday.
Hearts beat Falkirk 3-0, which briefly put them top of the league and champions in that moment, while Celtic were trailing Motherwell.
But the reigning champions turned the match around to lead 2-1, before Motherwell equalised late, which tipped the title race back in Hearts’ favour on goal difference and meant Celtic needed a win in Saturday’s decisive match by at least three goals to overtake their rivals.
Then disaster struck Hearts in stoppage time, when Celtic were awarded a controversial handball penalty after a VAR review. Kelechi Iheanacho calmly converted it, shifting the balance again and leaving his team in a strong position to frustrate Hearts’ hopes of winning their 14th title.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes described the decision as “disgusting,” and, after the usual complaints that everything is designed to help Celtic, said: “I heard there was a penalty in the sixth minute of added time, and I didn’t need to ask who it was given to.”
The Scottish Daily Record published a report on Thursday headlined: “Angry reactions in the world media over the worst VAR decision ever.
Final showdown
McInnes and his players must now put Wednesday’s dramatic twists behind them and try to focus on playing the football that put glory within their reach.
Hearts beat Celtic both home and away in October and December last year, and the two teams drew 2-2 in their most recent meeting in January.
Clearly, playing for a draw again is a risky strategy. Although Hearts are dangerous on the counterattack, they are likely to approach Saturday by staying disciplined defensively and waiting patiently for chances to attack.
McInnes said: “Celtic have been very lucky, and we have to recognize that we are up against everyone,” while also praising O’Neill for the work he has done in changing the course of their season.
He added: “Sometimes in life, you just have to go and beat the champions again and take what you want, and that is what it seems we will have to do. We do not need to win, but we certainly need to go there, put in a good performance, and the conditions are set perfectly.
He continued: “The fact that we have this decisive final match is perfect for Scottish football. The drama, the excitement, the spotlight on it it could not be better than that.”
