The eyes of the world will be on the east end of Glasgow for this afternoon's title blockbuster
McInnes needs just a single point to do it but that is easier said than done against Martin O'Neill who is aiming to add to the three titles he won during his first spell as Celtic manager.
It is set up to be a mouthwatering afternoon with this season's title race attracting attention from all across the globe. Fulton, Kent, McCart, Braga, Borchgrevnik, Spittal, Forrest, Kerjota, ChesnokovKabore robs McGregor deep in the Celtic half and tries to drive into the box before Nygren take shim down. That looks like it for him and another rethink for Derek McInnes in what has been the most impressive area of his team today.
A big call from Martin O'Neill who throws on Iheanacho to give his team more of a focal point. No changes for Hearts and McInnes will be looking for more of the same. That was almost the sperfect 45 minutes for Hearts. The timing of the penalty - that Schwolow will feel annoyed he should have saved - will give Celtic a massive lift.
Kyzirids slides in to try and block the cross and it hits his arms. Kingsley's corner is swung to the back post and it's over everyone except the unmarked Hearts skipper, who heads home at the back post. Devlin and Baningime have dominated Engels and Nygren so far while Kabore has been dropping deep to limit McGregor's time on the ball. It goes in field then back out to him and Dutchman decides to cross it then, but it's overhit.
The Aussie just takes too long to move the ball and Celtic break. In fact it's the first shot on target of the game, which tells a lot about how it's been going. Catches him with an arm on the back of the head and is perhaps lucky it's only a foul and no yellow card. The ferocious, defiant optimism emanating around Parkhead has just started to give way to a little bit of anxiety.
Kabore gets himself in space and sends a shot towards goal. Looks like another injury for Hearts at the last time they'd want one. Looks like a dead leg for Michael Steinwender, who takes a knee in the side of the thigh from Alistair Johnston. He showed why there, playing an aimless pass with a lack of options as Hearts have the rest covered, with Kabore dropping in on Callum McGregor.
Forcing long throws and set pieces to try and out Celtic under a bit of pressure. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 16: Celtic's Sebastian Tounekti and Hearts' Alexandros Kyziridis in action during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, on May 16, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. Celtic's early flurry has subsided now and they've had a bit of defending to do in the last few minutes.
Long throws from Harry Milne are causing a problem or two but so far Sinisalo's gloves are yet to be tested. The pair grapple in the area from a long throw and the Irishman turns into the Hearts skipper who goes down, but not much in it. Hearts are having to weather an early storm here as Celtic throw the kitchen sink at it with a succession of corners.
He takes a dig in the ribs from Liam Scales, but he's back up to continue. Former Czech Republic international Roman Bednar scored 13 goals in two seasons at Hearts between 2005 and 2007 and would love to see his old team pull off the previously unthinkable this afternoon. All of Scotland is living for this, and so am I. I really wish them well. Oh wow, it’s unbelievable!
I feel so close to this club. It was my first move abroad... And the Hearts. People say I’m a real Heart, which is a funny coincidence… I still follow them and whenever I can, I fly over.
Sometimes for charity, sometimes just to watch a match. I’m euphoric. Right now, every game is, you could say, a bus parade. The fans are incredible.
They always have been, and now they follow the team everywhere. One season we started with seven wins and two draws and were leading the league. But financially, those two clubs were on another level. We did finish second and played in the Champions League qualifiers, but we still ended up nearly 20 points behind Celtic.
So it was really tough for us, even though we had a great team with lots of Scottish internationals. But now they have a strong owner, who also owns Brighton, and he’s all about data and statistics. And from what I’ve seen, I really like their manager. I haven’t met him personally yet, but I watch every press conference.
He’s got his head screwed on, speaks very well, and I think he handles the pressure. I can only say good things. So, to answer, back then it probably wasn’t realistic, but now there’s a huge chance. Even though I hear people saying it’s a lot for a Scottish champion to lose five games in a season.
Some teams are just trying to play it down, but I wouldn’t pay any attention to that. Celtic and Rangers are having a weaker season; Hearts are taking advantage. I’d take the title with both hands!
"It’s unreal! The last time it happened was Aberdeen, with Sir Alex Ferguson on the bench, which says it all. I think, apart from Hibs as the absolute rivals, Celtic and Rangers, everyone in Scotland is rooting for this fairytale. I want to believe in it, because we all love fairytales.
Given how it was beginning to look in the dark days under Wilfried Nancy, it's a testament to Martin O'Neill that Celtic are even in with a chance on the final day. That's the view of Darren O'Dea anyway who, speaking to the BBC, paid tribute to his old manager – and the job he's done at keeping the title race alive. How Celtic are here is beyond me, a lot of that is down to Martin O'Neill.
You are taught as a Celtic player that the cameras show up to see you get beat. That's why they come to away games, that's why they come to banana skins. That is why it is so gripping. It has the makings of an incredible finish.
His role has been limited recently but being bombed out entirely for a title-decider just about says it all for the Japan star's future. Derek McInnes and his Hearts players find themselves in uncharted territory and Celtic hero Packie Bonner is in no doubt that they will find the whole experience 'daunting'. I don't know if any of the players have ever been through this type of game. I think the Hearts players will find this very daunting.
Celtic FC Hearts FC Derek Mcinnes Martin O'neill Scottish Premiership Lawrence Shankland Claudio Braga Callum Mcgregor Daizen Maeda VAR Kieran Tierney
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