Into the ‘lion’s den’: Hearts take ‘us against everybody’ approach into Celtic showdown
What do Hearts and Celtic need to win the league? Scottish Premiership title permutations
Is Celtic v Hearts on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch Scottish Premiership title decider
Celtic v Hearts LIVE: Latest updates from Scottish Premiership title decider
- Celtic host Hearts with Scottish Premiership title on the line | Live on Sky Sports
- 45+4' GOAL! Engels rolls in penalty to equalise (CEL 1-1 HEA)
- 45+1' PENALTY! Kyziridis handles the ball in the box (CEL 0-1 HEA)
- 43' GOAL! Shankland powers Hearts into lead with fine header (CEL 0-1 HEA)
- Hearts bidding to win first title since 1960 and end 41 years of Old Firm dominance
- Celtic will remain champions if they beat Hearts at Celtic Park
HT Celtic 1-1 Hearts
13:34 , Mike JonesCeltic dominated the possession in the first half with 65% but it was Hearts who were more aggressive.
They created six shots but only one of them was on target. Thankfully, Lawrence Shankland scored his header.
Celtic only had two chances on target but Engels scored from the penalty spot.
Which way will this title decider twist next?
HT Celtic 1-1 Hearts
13:30 , Mike JonesArne Engels then equalised from the penalty spot for Celtic.
HT Celtic 1-1 Hearts
13:26 , Mike JonesLawrence Shankland gave Hearts the lead through a fine corner and headed effort at the back post...
Half-time! Celtic 1-1 Hearts
13:22 , Mike Jones45+4 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half.
Arne Engels has given some hope to the home fans after Celtic were awarded a penalty for handball.
It felt harsh against Kyziridis but Engels slotted it home beautifully.
All to play for yet.
GOAL! Celtic 1-1 Hearts (Arne Engels, 45+3')
13:19 , Mike JonesArne Engels places the ball on the spot and rolls it underneath the diving Alexander Schwolow.
Celtic are level again in this match!
Penalty to Celtic!
13:19 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkYou couldn't wrist this script, notes The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood.
McInnes went straight the face of the fourth official and asked him, "Are you kidding me?" Another handball, another Celtic penalty.
Celtic 0-1 Hearts
13:18 , Mike Jones45+1 mins: Penalty to Celtic!
Kieran Tierney gets the ball and flies down the left wing. He hits his cross as Alexandros Kyziridis leaps to make a block.
The ball strikes his hand from a yard or two away as he drops to the floor and the referee points to the spot.
Celtic stunned by Shankland as Hearts dream edges closer
13:17 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkUnbelievable. McInnes raises his hand and lifts a clenched fist towards the Hearts fans in the corner, notes The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood as a stunned. Celtic Park.
Shankland, the captain, delivers for Hearts in their time of need. What a remarkable twist it is that Hearts clearly planned something from the first corner, only for it to almost go horribly wrong.
They got a second attempt, and it could be the goal that wins them their first title in 66 years. "We shall not be moved" rings out from the away end.
Celtic 0-1 Hearts
13:16 , Mike Jones45 mins: There’ll be three minutes to play before the end of the first half.
Celtic now need to score twice to win the title.
GOAL! Celtic 0-1 Hearts (Lawrence Shankland, 43')
13:15 , Mike JonesWonderful!
Celtic Park has been silenced. Stephen Kingsley whips the second corner in succession over to the far post where his captain, Lawrence Shankland, leaps free and powers a header into the back of the net!
Hearts have taken the lead with a huge goal in this title decider.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
13:13 , Mike Jones42 mins: Celtic have played like this a few times this season.
They’ve offered hardly anything in this half but usually they follow it up with a blistering onslaught after the break.
The game might be shaping up for something similar.
Hearts, however, are the ones pushing the issue approaching half-time. They win a couple of corners back-to-back....
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
13:11 , Mike Jones40 mins: Celtic’s wide men haven’t been able to get around or past the Hearts fullbacks today.
Milne in particular has been strong against Yang.
Michael Steinwender, meanwhile, has been added to the book for a late lunge on Daizen Maeda which earns him a yellow card too.
McInnes put through the ringer at Celtic Park as Hearts hold firm
13:11 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkMcInnes had his hand over his head when Engels was running through on goal, The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood observes from his seat at Celtic Park.
He was only to be stopped by a brilliant recovery run from Kyziridis.
This remains incredibly tense, even if Celtic are clearly not the force we maybe talked them up to be giving their recent run.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
13:08 , Mike Jones37 mins: Oh hello!
Altena does well to get forward on the left wing and shake off a couple of attempted tackles.
He sends the ball inside to Beni Baningime who decides to give it back.
Altena takes a look and tries an optimistic curling shot from range which flies high and wide.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
13:06 , Mike Jones34 mins: Alistair Johnston is the first player of the match to collect a yellow card.
He’ll need to be a bit more reserved on Celtic’s right side now which could be an issue up against Pierre Landry Kabore.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
13:04 , Mike Jones31 mins: Close!
Engels takes the ball off Cammy Devlin in the middle of the pitch and kickstarts a mini break for Celtic.
He drives the ball forward and slips it out to the left for Sebastian Tounekti.
Tounekti cuts inside and onto his right foot before driving a low effort at goal and into the arms of Alexander Schwolow.
That’s the first shot on target!
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:59 , Mike Jones28 mins: The Celtic supporters began this match is full voice and full of enthusiam and confidence.
That has slowly dwindled as the match has gone on with Hearts growing into the game and looking relatively untroubled.
Kieran Tierney is bullied by Lawrence Shankland but the Hearts captain is a bit too forceful trying to get to the ball and gives up a free kick deep in Celtic’s half.
McInnes masterplan sees Hearts grow in confidence
12:56 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkHearts are a quarter of the way there, notes The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood at a fiery Celtic Park.
There is a growing sense of frustration among the Celtic fans, who want to see their team move the ball quicker. It’s a testament to how well McInnes has set his team up off the ball, pressing high and cancelling Celtic out in areas, deliberately leaving Auston Trusty in possession but with no one to hit. Celtic have yet to have a shot, let alone a chance.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:56 , Mike Jones25 mins: Celtic fling a long throw into the box and Hearts defend their area.
Jordi Altena takes a hand to the face as Alistair Johnston leaps at him to win the ball.
It’s a heavy collision and the Hearts man comes off worse.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:54 , Mike Jones23 mins: Hearts are playing nicely. It’s tricky for Celtic to play through them and the middle of the pitch has been well controlled from the visitors.
It feels like this will be the nature of the game right up to the point a goal is scored and then everything will change.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:52 , Mike Jones20 mins: Johnston gets into the Hearts box with a superb run down the right wing and collects an aerial pass.
Milne lunges to make an equally impressive tackle and displace the ball.
Johnston goes down but the offside flag goes and spares the referee a decision to make over a possible penalty. It didn’t look like one in any case, Milne timed his challenge brilliantly.
Hearts sweat on fitness of Michael Steinwender
12:49 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkMichael Steinwender is hobbling on but does not look comfortable, notes The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood at Celtic Park.
Hearts can ill afford another injury after losing Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard.
And the Austrian is limping again after that clearance. The players pushing to their limits at Celtic Park.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:47 , Mike Jones16 mins: Michael Steinwender receives an earful from the Celtic fans after he is clattered and needs some treatment.
The Hearts defender is okay and plays on after a bit of treatment.
No clear chances from either side yet.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:45 , Mike Jones14 mins: So far so good for Hearts. They only need a draw to win the title and Derek McInnes will be pleased with what he has seen.
Hearts haven’t just sat back and let Celtic play. They’ve tried to get forward and create opportunities.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:41 , Mike Jones11 mins: Pushing up the pitch, Milne nicks the ball off Johnston and sends in an early cross.
The pass is poor though and flies wide of everyone to go out for a goal kick.
Hearts are having a bit of joy on their left side. Harry Milne has fired in a series of long throws to test the Celtic defence and he wins a free kick after a tackle from Benjamin Nygren.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:40 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkIt is deafeningly loud when Hearts are on the ball, writes The Independent Jamie Braidwood from Celtic Park.
But McInnes liked what he saw from his team during their first spell of proper possession, as a big part of their task today is having some control. The start has been predictably frantic but Hearts have got through the first 10-minute marker.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:38 , Mike Jones8 mins: Hyunjun Yang looks to drive at Harry Milne over on Celtic’s right side but he takes a heavy touch allowing the defender to nip across him and rcover the ball.
Celtic win it back quickly and switch the play over to the left. Kieran Tierney swings in a cross which Michael Steinwender turns behind for a corner.
Engels is on set piece duty again and curls the ball into the middle. It’s too high and too hard and sails out of play for a goal kick.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:36 , Mike Jones6 mins: Hearts work the ball wonderfully down the left side to a chorus of boos from the Celtic fans.
Kabore holds up the ball and wins a throw in after getting tackled by Alistair Johnston.
Harry Milne launches the ball into the penalty area and it gets flicked on towards Lawrence Shankland.
There’s a slight tug on his shirt and he falls to ground like he’s taken a haymaker to the face by Anthony Joshua. The Hearts captain appeals for a penalty but the referee isn’t interested.
Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:33 , Mike Jones3 mins: Celtic push high up the pitch and pile the pressure on Hearts in these early stages.
They win a corner that is taken by Arne Engels.
Engels whips it into the penalty area and fins Auston Trusty but his headed effort flies over the top.
Quick start this from the hosts.
Kick off! Celtic 0-0 Hearts
12:32 , Mike JonesHearts get the ball rolling at Celtic Park and work it over to the right wing.
Pierre Landry Kabore takes an early knock after winning the aerial ball in a challenge with Liam Scales.
He’s on the ground but quickly recovers.
Celtic and Hearts players emerge to cauldron of noise at Celtic Park
12:29 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkOn its day Celtic Park may be the loudest stadium in the UK, writes The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood.
And today is the biggest of days. "Invoke the spirit of '86", the stadium announcer tells the home fans, in reference of the final day 40 years ago where Celtic beat Hearts to the final on goal difference.
If Hearts can come here and win the title against this backdrop, they will have earned their place in history.
Martin O'Neill aiming for Celtic balance to clinch title
12:27 , Jack Rathborn"Same message as before, try and win the game, it's as simple as that. We're in a position, where we've got in here, let's try and make the most of it,” O’Neill tells Sky Sports.
“That [continuity] was good, we'll have impact from those off the bench. It's trying to meet that balance, we have to try find ourselves in front.
“There's no point going gung ho, hopefully we can manage the situation, we need to be strong in attack. Really excited, we've worked, strived hard to close the gap, we've got a chance here, in our own ground to do something with them behind us."
Derek McInnes explains why Claudio Braga is on Hearts bench
12:25 , Jack Rathborn“He’s struggling with a groin injury, we’ve tried to manage it, three games in a week, it’s not ideal,” McInnes tells Sky Sports.
“We think he’ll give us something, just not 90 minutes. We’ve got Lawrence and Kabore, he’s done well against Celtic, they’ll remember him. It’s not ideal, but he’ll still have a big part to play.”
What has Derek McInnes said?
12:21 , Mike Jones“We’re going into a stadium of 60,000, the place will be rocking,” said the Hearts manager.
“Going into the lion’s den, even though we've been top of the league since September or so, we’re still going to be the underdog.
“For us to be competing with Celtic, with the money they've got and everything they've got at their disposal, it's a huge effort for our team and we look forward to it.”
What has Martin O’Neill said?
12:17 , Mike Jones"We may not win it, but what we have done is that we have fought really impressively, I think, throughout these last number of weeks,” said the Celtic boss.
"I think the players have shown enormous character to keep fighting right to the very, very end, and they've done that again. It could go either way, could go any way, but at least we've taken it to the final game."
Scottish title permutations
12:13 , Mike JonesHere’s a reminder of how today’s fixture could play out and what it would mean.
Hearts: If Hearts win, they win the title. If Hearts draw, they win the title. But if they lose, it will now be Celtic’s championship.
Celtic: It’s simple for Celtic. They must beat Hearts on Saturday.
Derek McInnes confident in Hearts approach to title decider
12:13 , Jack Rathborn“We can get a result here, they've played us three times and not beaten us. We're playing the same 11 players we've beaten this season. We look relaxed, focus in what we're trying to do. The performances have been here all season, that's why we've got a shot at the time. Two good teams, Celtic have found their form of late.
“It’s so difficult to pay for a draw, for me, the intention is to be secure, don’t give encouragement. We have to show ourselves, attacking, as well as defend.
“I think the game could be open at times, you’ll see a lot of opportunities.”
Celtic vs Hearts
12:09 , Mike JonesThe fans are excited and ready for this massive meeting at Parkhead this afternoon.
One of these teams will be lifting the Scottish Premiership trophy at the end of the game but who will it be?
Into the ‘lion’s den’: Hearts take ‘us against everybody’ approach into Celtic showdown
12:06 , Jamie BraidwoodIn a corner of Celtic Park, a small pocket of around 750 fans will gather in the hope of witnessing a day many believed would never come. They will be the lucky few successful in the ballot for the tiny allocation of away tickets as Hearts attempt to make history and win a first league title in 66 years.
As if to underline the size of their collective task, they will be outnumbered by around 80 to one. Backed by a home crowd of 60,000, Celtic need any sort of win to lift a 14th title in 15 seasons, while Hearts require at least a draw to become the first team outside of the Old Firm to be crowned champions since 1985.
Hearts enter ‘lion’s den’ and Celtic showdown with title on the line
Hearts applaud travelling fans before title decider
12:01 , Jamie Braidwood at Celtic ParkThe tiny allocation of Hearts supporters at Celtic Park can barely be heard against the pre-match DJ and home fans as the visitors emerge onto the pitch for their warm-ups, writes The Independent’s Jamie Braidwood at Celtic Park.
Captain Lawrence Shankland makes his way over to applaud the 750 or so lucky enough to be here. Derek McInnes said this week that they will instead think about the many thousands following in Edinburgh.
There are then loud boos as the Hearts players head over to the opposite corner to warm up in front of Celtic's Green Brigade, which feels a bold choice.
Derek McInnes: 'Hearts want to rip up script and create our own history and legacy'
12:00 , Jamie Braidwood“It’s important now that we have that one big performance in us to try and get over the line and get the title won. The confidence I feel in the players is so strong. We have to go there with courage, with belief and be bullish.
“It’ll be bedlam, it’ll be an unbelievable atmosphere. There might be people out there who think everything’s back on script, ‘Celtic win their home game, they win the league’.“But we’ve ripped the script up so often this season, and we’ve got one more in us I think, and it’s up to us to try and make that happen.
“Regardless of what happens tomorrow, it has been a brilliant campaign, but it could be the most special campaign.
“With the records broken internally as a club, and what we’ve done this season, I think they’ll always be regarded as a special team. But obviously if we want to elevate that, we have to go and win it.
“It’s up to us to try and create our own history and our own legacy with a big performance.”
Derek McInnes on the challenge of facing Celtic on the final day
11:55 , Jamie Braidwood“Sometimes in life you've just got to go and beat the champion again and take what you want to be yours, whether it's boxing or any sort of sport,” Hearts boss McInnes said. “So that's what it looks like we're gonna have to do. We don't need to win, but certainly need to get down there and put in a performance. It's set up perfectly.”
Celtic vs Hearts latest odds
11:52 , Mike JonesAccording to betting sites Celtic are the favourites to win the game and, as a result, the Scottish title.
Celtic to win - 4/6
Draw - 57/17
Hearts to win - 9/2
Can Hearts oust the Old Firm?
11:49 , Mike JonesThe last year that neither Celtic or Rangers won the Scottish title was 1985 when Sir Alex Ferguson won his third title with Aberdeen.
Fergie has also given advice to Hearts boss Derek McInnes throughout this season so can McInnes emulate him and break the Old Firm dominance?
Hearts only need to avoid defeat this afternoon to clinch a historic title.
Hearts bid to banish ghosts of the past and make history
11:45 , Jamie BraidwoodIn the background, memories of 1986 linger.
When Hearts last challenged for the title at this stage of the season, 40 years ago, they went into the final day needing to avoid defeat to Dundee to be crowned champions, only to collapse to a 2-0 loss at Dens Park.
Meanwhile, Celtic thrashed St Mirren to slip in and nick it on goal difference.
It is a story of pain and regret that has been passed down the generations. Derek McInnes and his players are charged with slaying the burden of history, as well as the dominant champions.
Hearts arrive at Celtic Park for title decider
11:44 , Jack Rathborn
McInnes switches things up
11:42 , Mike JonesDerek McInnes has made three changes from Hearts' win over Falkirk which kept them at the top of the table.
Frankie Kent, Claudio Braga and Blair Spittal all drop to the bench and are replaced by Stephen Kingsley, Pierre Landry Kabore and Jordi Altena.
It also means a switch in formation with Hearts going to a back three and employing wingbacks in Harry Milne and Jordi Altena.
Martin O'Neill goes unchanged
11:38 , Mike JonesMartin O’Neill names an unchanged Celtic line-up from the team that defeated Motherwell in controversial and dramatic fashion during the week.
That means that Sebastian Tounekti starts ahead of Kelechi Iheanacho though the matchwinner from a few days ago will feature at some point.
'The rarest of conclusions': A final day title decider
11:35 , Jamie BraidwoodThe story of Hearts attempting to break up the Old Firm’s dominance has been picked up around the world and the title race that keeps on giving now has the rarest of conclusions.
In Scotland, the last time the top two teams met on the final day to decide the league was Rangers against Aberdeen at Ibrox in 1991, while comparisons can be drawn to Liverpool-Arsenal in 1989, or Barcelona-Atletico Madrid in 2014.
For context, though, at that time the Barcelona-Real Madrid “duopoly” in Spain was a mere decade: Scotland’s is 41 years.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes makes huge call
11:25 , Jamie BraidwoodThere’s no Claudio Braga in the Hearts starting line-up. That’s a huge call from Derek McInnes to leave out Scotland’s player of the year, although the Portuguese has appeared to tire in recent weeks, and Hearts have shifted to a back-three. Expect defensive wing-backs from the visitors with Harry Milne and Jordi Altena starting. Celtic, unsurprisingly, are uncharged.
Celtic line-up to face Hearts
11:22 , Mike JonesCeltic XI: Sinisalo; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Yang, Tounekti, Maeda
📋 The #CelticFC starting XI to face Hearts#CELHEA pic.twitter.com/pfQ6OosfzC
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) May 16, 2026
Hearts team to face Celtic
11:19 , Mike JonesHearts XI: Schwolow; Kingsley, Steinwender, Findlay, Milne; Baningime, Devlin, Altena; Kyziridis, Shankland, Kabore
📋 TEAM NEWS
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) May 16, 2026
Your Hearts XI to face Celtic in the 2025/26 season finale!
COME ON THE JAAAAAAAAAM TAAAAAAAAARTS 🇱🇻 pic.twitter.com/koMtngIFE3
Celtic v Hearts team news and line-ups coming up shortly...
11:10 , Jamie BraidwoodLine-ups will be confirmed in the next few minutes, here’s a reminder of the early team news:
Martin O’Neill appears to have settled on a favoured formula, with the choice between Sebastian Tounekti and Luke McCowan on the wing the only change the Celtic boss has made between the recent wins over Rangers and Motherwell. Daizen Maeda continued his scoring run at Motherwell while Kelechi Iheanacho produced another big moment from the bench, Celtic able to call upon the impact sub if required.
Derek McInnes is without Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard after both suffered Achilles injuries against Motherwell. Harry Milne and Cammy Devlin returned in the win over Falkirk but both were withdrawn before full-time as McInnes attempted to manage their minutes after injury lay-offs of their own. The leaders do not appear to have picked up any fresh fitness issues in the win over Falkirk.
Celtic are on their longest winning run of the season
11:03 , Jamie BraidwoodCeltic have won their last six league games to cut Hearts’ lead to one point ahead of the final day. If Celtic beat Hearts to win the title, it would be their longest winning streak to end the season since 2010, but Rangers won the title that season.
How do Hearts approach final-day title decider?
10:41 , Jamie BraidwoodThis has been billed as winner-takes-all, with the caveat of a draw favouring Hearts, which may bring its own challenges. “
It’s difficult, players are tuned to win, managers are tuned to win,” Derek McInnes said. “You don't go for 90-odd minutes and just play for a draw.”
There is a feeling that Celtic will throw everything into getting an early goal and Hearts may need to ride out the initial storm.
“The only thing I can think about is when you go away from home in Europe sometimes and you make sure you're nice and solid,” McInnes said. “You don't need to go and win a game early on, but you can be nice and compact.”
Martin O'Neill on the brink of finest moment and sensational comeback
10:20 , Jamie BraidwoodMartin O’Neill could seal his fourth league title in Scotland, 22 years after his last with Celtic.
The 74-year-old has twice taken over a club on the brink of mutiny this season, first when Brendan Rodgers resigned and then again when Wilfried Nancy was sacked after a disastrous eight-game spell.
This is not a vintage Celtic team and during an extraordinary campaign that has teetered on the brink of collapse it has felt as if the only thing keeping them together is O’Neill and the memories of the trophies won between 2000 and 2005.
He could sign off with two more, a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.
More history on the line for Hearts if they beat Celtic
10:03 , Jamie BraidwoodHearts have already beaten Celtic twice this season, as well as Rangers three times, and could become the first side in Scottish football history to win six games against the Old Firm clubs in a single league season.
Hearts are also bidding to become the first club outside of the Old Firm since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen to win the title. The Jambos could become champions of Scotland for a fifth time, and first time 1960.
'Celtic and Martin O'Neill deserve a lot of credit'
09:40 , Jamie BraidwoodCeltic were five points behind Hearts following the 2-0 defeat at Dundee United in March.
Martin O’Neill insisted his side were not out of the title race and they have won six in a row since, Hearts’ lead down to one point.
“Celtic deserve a lot of credit, I think Martin deserves a lot of credit,” Derek McInnes said. “Obviously we've been top of the league for a long time.
“But like any true champion there's a pride there and you can see that. I think what Martin's done is he has made Celtic more of a team than individuals.”
Hearts will be going into the 'lion's den' against Celtic
09:20 , Jamie BraidwoodHearts boss Derek McInnes: “We’re going into a stadium of 60,000, the place will be rocking. We'll look forward to it once it comes along. I think for us to have that type of game, that type of stage, we deserve that and we look forward to it. We're not gonna shy away from it, we've got a good record against Celtic.
“Martin's done a brilliant job in getting Celtic where they are. It's not winner take all because we can get a point, but it's difficult. Players are tuned to win, managers are tuned to win. So you don't go for 90-odd minutes and just play for a draw.
“It’s going to feel like going into the lion’s den. Even though we've been top of the league since September or so, we’re still going to be the underdog.
“For us to be competing with Celtic, with the money they've got and everything they've got at their disposal, it's a huge effort for our team and we look forward to it.”
Celtic aiming to extend dominant streak and retain title
09:03 , Jamie BraidwoodCeltic can win their 14th league title in 15 seasons, with their 56th overall in Scotland. That would see Celtic overtake Rangers for the most of any side. It would also continue a streak of 41 successive titles won by either Celtic or Rangers.
The last 40 Scottish top-flight league seasons have been won by either Celtic or Rangers. pic.twitter.com/5q7TIZmz0o
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) May 11, 2026
Lawrence Shankland: 'We go there confident. It's a 90-minute cup final'
08:38 , Jamie BraidwoodLawrence Shankland can become the first Hearts captain to lift the league title in 66 years and the Scotland striker says his team will head to Celtic Park confident after leading the league for most of the season.
"We were fully prepared for going to Celtic Park needing a result. We've been there and won a couple of times during my time as a Hearts player. We go there confident and we've been top of the league all season.
"It's a 90-minute cup final, it's as simple as that. If you offered us that at the start of the season we would have taken it all day. It's going to be two teams looking to go for it and going for a title and it'll be exciting for everyone."
Derek McInnes moves on from Celtic penalty controversy
08:21 , Jamie BraidwoodDerek McInnes is intent on parking the controversy around refereeing decisions for another day as he challenged his “special” Hearts team to “rip up the script” by becoming champions of Scotland for the first time since 1960.
The Jambos will win the Premiership title if they avoid defeat at second-placed Celtic, who were handed a lifeline on Wednesday when they defeated Motherwell with a contentiously awarded stoppage-time spot-kick.
McInnes branded the decision “disgusting” after his side’s victory over Falkirk on the same night, but said on Friday, on the eve of his club’s biggest ever match, that he did not want to get bogged down in talk about referees.
“It’s a perfect ending to a season for the league, for Scottish football, for drama and excitement,” said McInnes ahead of Scotland’s first final-day title shootout since 1991. “It’s pure box office.
“I felt for a while it would go the full way, and we’ve been preparing for that. We knew we’d have to get good wins, and obviously Celtic in the last wee while have shown improvements. Fair play to them and to our boys for making this the situation.”
PA
Gary Lineker says Celtic penalty call arguably ‘worst VAR decision’ he has seen
08:02 , Jamie BraidwoodFormer England striker Gary Lineker believes the “extraordinary” call to award Celtic a dubious added-time penalty against Motherwell is arguably the worst VAR decision he has witnessed.
In a potentially pivotal moment in the Scottish Premiership title race, referee John Beaton was called to the pitchside monitor by video assistant referee Andrew Dallas after Motherwell winger Sam Nicholson challenged for a high ball.
Replays suggested the ball hit Nicholson’s head, rather than his raised hand, but Beaton awarded a spot-kick which Kelechi Iheanacho converted in the ninth minute of added time to snatch a 3-2 success for Martin O’Neill’s side.
Lineker posted on X: “This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen (and there’s a lot of competition). Extraordinary given the significance.”
Ally McCoist wants VAR scrapped and says Scottish football ‘a laughing stock’
07:45 , Jamie BraidwoodFormer Rangers manager Ally McCoist claims Scottish football must get rid of VAR or continue looking like “absolute clowns”.
Scottish football’s refereeing standards have come into sharp focus after the penalty award that made Celtic favourites for the title.
McCoist called it a “horrendous decision that has, once again, embarrassed Scottish football”.
The former Scotland international added on talkSPORT: “If anything good has come out of it, it was that awful a decision that the whole country is talking about it.
“We must get rid of VAR, particularly in Scotland. Because instead of helping officials, it’s making us look like absolute clowns. We are a laughing stock.”
Ally McCoist wants VAR scrapped and says Scottish football ‘a laughing stock’
Derek McInnes labels controversial penalty ‘disgusting’ after Celtic win
07:28 , Jamie BraidwoodHearts boss Derek McInnes described the controversial last-minute penalty awarded to Celtic to take the Scottish Premiership title race down to the final day as “disgusting”.
Hearts, bidding to win a first league title since 1960, were on course to take a three-point advantage and a superior goal difference to Celtic Park for a final day shoot-out after beating Falkirk 3-0.
Celtic, though, kept the title in their hands as Kelechi Iheanacho’s 99th-minute penalty secured a 3-2 win at Motherwell, but in highly dubious circumstances as Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson was ruled to have handled.
Nicholson, though, appeared to have headed the ball away and it left McInnes feeling it was “us against everybody” in the title race. “It’s such a bad decision,” McInnes said. “It is quite disgusting, to be honest.”
Hearts take one-point lead into final day after huge night of controversy
07:10 , Jamie BraidwoodHearts could have won the league on Wednesday if they beat Falkirk at Tynecastle and Celtic lost at Motherwell. And for a 12-minute spell, those results were happening, leaving Hearts on course for the title.
That was just the start of the drama, though. After Hearts beat Falkirk 3-0, they learned that Celtic had been awarded a 96th-minute penalty at Motherwell, which was converted by Kelechi Iheanacho to seal a 3-2 win.
Hearts could have afforded to lose at Celtic Park by two goals had the reigning champions been held to a draw by Motherwell. Instead, a hugely contentious moment, swung the race back towards Celtic: a win over Hearts today, by another margin, will be enough.
In an increasingly controversial title race, Hearts now know what they’re up against
What is the Hearts team news?
06:53 , Jamie BraidwoodDerek McInnes is without Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard after both suffered Achilles injuries against Motherwell. Harry Milne and Cammy Devlin returned in the win over Falkirk but both were withdrawn before full-time as McInnes attempted to manage their minutes after injury lay-offs of their own. The leaders do not appear to have picked up any fresh fitness issues in the win over Falkirk.
What is the Celtic team news?
06:45 , Jamie BraidwoodMartin O’Neill appears to have settled on a favoured formula, with the choice between Sebastian Tounekti and Luke McCowan on the wing the only change the Celtic boss has made between the recent wins over Rangers and Motherwell. Daizen Maeda continued his scoring run at Motherwell while Kelechi Iheanacho produced another big moment from the bench, Celtic able to call upon the impact sub if required.
When is Celtic v Hearts and how to watch
06:40 , Jamie BraidwoodKick-off is at 12:30pm at Celtic Park, Glasgow. It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage getting underway from 11:30pm.
Celtic v Hearts: What both teams need, and what's on the line
06:35 , Jamie BraidwoodHearts: Will win the league if they avoid defeat at Celtic Park. It would be their first league title since 1960, 66 years ago, and would break the most dominant duopoly in European football. For the past 41 years, the Scottish title has only been won by Celtic or Rangers.
Celtic: Will win the league if they beat Hearts. It would be a 14th league title in 15 years for Celtic since 2012, and would complete the most stunning comeback under Martin O’Neill, the 74-year-old manager who could win a fourth league title in Scotland, 22 years since his last.
Good morning and welcome
06:30 , Jamie BraidwoodSo it all comes down to this. After 37 games of the season, the Scottish Premiership will be decided by a final-day shootout between the top two, Hearts and Celtic. History is on the line, and it doesn’t get bigger than this. Stay with us for all the build-up between now and kick-off at 12:30pm.
