Celtic vs Hearts Battle for Scottish Premiership Crown | OneFootball

This is it. After nine months, 222 matches and several highly questionable VAR calls, the final matchday of the Scottish Premiership season takes place this weekend.

The main focus of attention is, of course, the title decider between Celtic and Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.

It has been 15 years since the Scottish title was settled on the final day of the season. Back then, Rangers won their 54th league crown.

What a prospect we have in store in Glasgow. Will Celtic make it five consecutive titles? Or can Hearts break the 41-year duopoly of the Old Firm? It is shaping up to be a classic.

Celtic chasing another Scottish Premiership crown

Celtic are peaking just when it matters most. Although the Parkhead side have lost eight league matches this term, four of those occurred during the dismal reign of Wilfried Nancy. The Frenchman lasted only 33 days at the helm before being sacked after his side had suffered a 3-1 loss against Rangers in January.

In stepped Martin O’ Neil (again) to try and restore Celtic to the top of Scottish football’s pecking order (again). Things haven’t gone too badly since then. Celtic have suffered just three defeats upon the 74-year-old’s return to the dugout and enter this final day decider having won six league games in succession.

The latest, a 3-2 win over Motherwell, might prove to be the most decisive. And, the most controversial.

With seconds remaining and the match poised to finish 2-2, Motherwell player Sam Nicholson went up for an aerial duel with Austin Trusty but was alleged to have handled the ball in the penalty area. Referee John Beaton spent 20 seconds examining the footage from the monitor, from a single camera angle, before inevitably awarding Celtic a penalty.

Of course, the penalty was swept home, meaning Celtic know that a win on Saturday will see them crowned champions once more.

Derek McInnes eyeing history for Hearts

Not since 1960 have Hearts won the Scottish league title. There have been a couple of near misses along the way (1986 ring a bell, anyone), but a win or draw at Parkhead will see the Jambos end that drought.

The odds are stacked against them, yet McInnes’ men have won five matches against the Old Firm this term, including at Ibrox and Parkhead. Ahead of the clash against Falkirk on Wednesday, Hearts knew that only three points would be good enough.

The Gorgie outfit delivered a confident display, scoring three times and never letting Falkirk into the match to secure three crucial points.

Hearts have their destiny within their own hands. Avoid defeat at Parkhead and McInnes’ men will be crowned champions. Not a single person in Scotland would have predicted that outcome back in August, that’s for sure.

Regardless of what happens, it has been one of the most incredible seasons in the recent history of Scottish football.

The fact that everything boils down to one game is perhaps a fitting way for the campaign to end.

Where to Watch

Thank goodness someone in scheduling had some brain cells. This game will be broadcast live on CBSSN at 7:30am ET / 4:30am PT, streaming on Paramount+ at the same times.

Horribly early, but absolutely worth it.