The Scottish Premiership title will be settled on Saturday afternoon as league leaders Hearts travel to face Celtic at Celtic Park. Ahead of this pivotal encounter, pundits remain divided on the outcome, with home advantage identified as a key factor.
Title Race Comes Down to Final Day
In what has proved to be a Premiership campaign for the ages, Hearts have staged a courageous and historic title challenge. The last occasion a team other than Rangers or Celtic lifted the Scottish top-flight trophy was in 1985, when Aberdeen secured consecutive championships. While Rangers' four-match losing run has eliminated them from contention, Martin O'Neill's Bhoys simply need to defeat Derek McInnes's side on the final day to clinch the title.
Ally McCoist - On the Fence
McCoist, a Rangers legend, refused to call a winner, highlighting that Hearts can feel aggrieved after VAR controversy. Celtic were handed a hugely contentious 99th-minute penalty against Motherwell, meaning they are now just a point behind Hearts. "I'm not so sure that Celtic have the momentum," he told talkSPORT Bet. "I think both Celtic and Hearts have good momentum after some good results. I think obviously Hearts were harshly done by themselves in the last couple of minutes against Motherwell."
Kris Boyd - Celtic
Boyd told the Scottish Sun: "I don't expect anything else except a Celtic victory on Saturday. If it's a full house at Celtic Park, Hearts have picked up a few injuries to key players."
Pat Nevin - Celtic
Nevin explained that the electric atmosphere at Celtic Park will hand the home side a crucial advantage. He told the BBC: "Getting rid of the toxicity at Celtic Park has been immense. Celtic Park is an incredibly hard place to play when there is that noise and it's back." He also suggested Hearts head coach McInnes "must be getting worried about the amount of injuries."
Andy Halliday - On the Fence
Motherwell star Halliday, who played for Rangers and Hearts, said: "Celtic are on a five-game winning run. You talk about mentality and playing your best level at the right time and Celtic have hit theirs now. But Hearts, for 30 weeks in a row now, are just finding ways to win, so it's going to be a very interesting finish."
Ryan Stevenson - Hearts
Former Hearts man Stevenson insisted the match won't be a walkover for Celtic. He told the Record: "I've heard some Celtic fans say that Fir Park was going to be their hardest game. 'Once we get Hearts back to Celtic Park, we'll steamroll them.' But you've got to remember, these are the same Celtic players that have buckled under pressure before. If Hearts turn up as they have done all season, they'll come out as champions."
Andy Murray - Celtic
Hibernian supporter Murray had earlier tipped Hearts to win the league but changed his mind after Celtic's victory over Motherwell. Reflecting on his original prediction, he said: "I still stand by what I said. If it was going to be Celtic or Rangers that were going to win this league, I don't think you would be asking me that question." However, when pressed for a title prediction, he declared: "I think it is going to be Celtic now."
Chris Sutton - Celtic
Former Celtic man Sutton marginally favours his old club, backing home turf as the deciding factor. He told Sky Sports: "Celtic have just somehow clung on to it. Under Martin O'Neill, they have just shown the spirit and resilience. Now going into the final game, Celtic at home, there's supposed harmony now in there at Celtic Park and that may carry weight. But there could yet be another twist and turn and it'll be absolutely epic on Saturday."
With the title on the line, all eyes will be on Celtic Park for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Scottish Premiership season.
