Scottish Premiership title permutations as Hearts and Celtic clash in final-day decider | OneFootball

Thrilling battle will conclude in Glasgow after controversial week

Hearts face Celtic on Saturday looking to clinch the Scottish Premiership title in the most dramatic of circumstances.

It has been an absolutely incredible campaign so far, full of twists and turns, and the race goes right down to the wire in Glasgow as the top two engage in an epic final-day shootout for the trophy at Celtic Park.

Derek McInnes’ Hearts top the table by a single point going into the last game, with Martin O’Neill’s Hoops in hot pursuit.

Hearts are bidding for a first top-flight title since 1959/60, and they are also aiming to become the first non-Old Firm club to be crowned Scottish champions since 1984/85, when Sir Alex Ferguson led Aberdeen to the top of the tree.

Controversy: Celtic were awarded a hugely contentious last-gasp penalty against Motherwell in midweek

Robert Perry/PA Wire

There was even more drama in midweek as Celtic notched a late victory against fourth-place Motherwell in controversial fashion, with Kelechi Iheanacho’s 99th-minute penalty winner coming as a result of Sam Nicholson allegedly handling a high ball.

Replays appeared to show that the ball actually hit Nicholson on the head, but a spot-kick was awarded nonetheless following a widely-criticised VAR review and Celtic snuck away from Fir Park with a crucial 3-2 triumph that left them knowing that a win of any kind over Hearts - who beat mid-table Falkirk 3-0 on the same night at a raucous Tynecastle - will now seem them retain the title.

Regardless, Hearts still lead the way with just one game to play, but that fixture is the hardest of all as they make the trip to Celtic Park. So how can each side win the title? It’s very simple.

Going into the final day in Glasgow, Hearts merely need to avoid defeat to become champions. Lose, and it is Celtic’s title for a record 56th time - pulling them one clear of fierce rivals Rangers, whom they beat 3-1 last weekend.

There will be no question of goal difference - where Hearts are also currently ahead by five - as there is no way that the two clubs can finish on the same number of points.

Without that contentious late penalty against Motherwell, Celtic would have needed to beat Hearts by three goals on the final day to win the title.