Will Hearts break 41 year curse and pip Celtic to Scottish Premiership in final day shootout? | OneFootball

It’s a game over four decades in the making: a straight shoot-out between Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and Celtic, where a team other than the Hoops or Rangers could be crowned champions for the first time since 1985.

Martin O’Neill’s side reduced the deficit at the top to a single point in theri midweek clash with Motherwell, when Kelechi Iheanacho converted a penalty awarded by VAR for handball by Sam Nichollson despite replays appearing to show the ball hit his head – a decision subsequently branded “disguisting” by Hearts boss Derek McInnes.

It was almost over as Hearts cruised to a 3-0 victory over Falkirk last time out, yet will have rued draws with Motherwell and Livingston where the four points dropped would have sealed a first title since 1960 – once a three-horse race between a new look Hearts and the Old Firm, it now all comes down to one game, and one point.

Their five victories over Celtic and Rangers made the Edinburgh side – who have led for 33 of the 37 matchdays this season – was the first run of its kind since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen, who also won the title that year back in 1983.

Since Brighton chairman Tony Bloom acquired a 29% stake in the club little under a year ago in June 2025, they have been a force to be reckoned with. Talents such as Claudio Braga and skipper Lawrence Shankland have been key in navigating multiple struggles this season, with 17 goals and 19 goals respectively.

Celtic have been with their problems this season after Brendan Rodgers was dismissed to end his second stint with the club after two years and briefly replaced with veteran manager Martin O’Neill until Wilfred Nancy arrived.

The Frenchman oversaw six defeats in his eight games since his hiring on the 3rd of December, and was sacked after 33 days in charge – giving him the unfortunate title of the shortest permanent manager in Celtics long, storied history.

O’Neill made a sensational return and has since lost just three of his 25 games in charge to mount a late surge for what could be a 12th SPL title in 13 years.

Ahead of selecting his final and most crucial starting lineup of the season, Derek McInnes will know he can’t call upon Marc Leonard or Craig Halkett as both are out with injuries to their achilles.

He gave Harry Milne with 45 minutes in the side’s victory over Falkirk on his return last time out and may be inclined to do the same on Saturday, but one player who he won’t have that luxury of being able to field is Irish defender Osin McEntee, who is expected to miss the game with a muscle issue.

As for Celtic, injuries have been rampant for the Hoops this season and O’Neill will still have to contend with them as he prepares for Celtics biggest game of the season themselves.

Defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has missed much of the campaign leaving the Irishman limited in options at the heart of the defence whereas winger Jota has also been absent due to a muscle injury.

Bournemouth loanee Julian Araujo is also out, as is Callum Osmand.

Saturdays game is momentous for Scottish football, as the fairy-tale season for Hearts could have it’s perfect ending while the indominable Celtic have their chance to re-establish themselves as the nation’s side to beat.

The relentless pain, pride and controversy all comes down to 90-minutes that could write a new chapter in Scottish Football, kicking off at 12:30 (GMT) on Saturday 16th of May with live coverage on Sky Sports.