What do Hearts need to win the league? Scottish Premiership title permutations | OneFootball

Hearts are on the brink of winning a first league title since 1960 and breaking Celtic and Rangers’ duopoly of the Scottish Premiership.

Under Derek McInnes, Hearts have led the way for most of the season and head into Scottish football’s biggest weekend since 1985 with the title in their hands. However, after a dramatic finish on Wednesday, the momentum is with Celtic.

Hearts comfortably defeated Falkirk 3-0 on Wednesday, but Celtic needed a last-minute Kelechi Iheanacho penalty - given after a VAR review - to keep their hopes realistically alive.

The fact that the two contenders face each other on the final day makes it all the more dramatic. It will be a winner-takes-all occasion at Celtic Park.

Scottish Premiership standings and fixtures

1) Hearts | Played: 37, Points: 80, GD+ 35

2) Celtic | Played: 37, Points: 79, GD+ 30

Remaining fixture

Saturday 16 May - Celtic vs Hearts (12:30pm BST)

How can Hearts win the league on Saturday?

After a thrilling title race full of twists and turns, it all comes down to Saturday lunchtime.

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.

It’s simple for Celtic: they must beat Hearts on Saturday.

Their last-minute winner on Wednesday means they no longer have to win by six goals. A win, no matter the score, will do the job.

The tiebreakers are goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head points.

But the teams now cannot finish level on points.