The title race is down to the wire. Celtic FC are one point behind Heart of Midlothian FC with two games left. If Celtic win their final two matches, they win the league. It’s that simple. But behind the scenes, the drama is getting even bigger.
THE MOMENTUM (Celtic)
Celtic are flying. Five straight Premiership wins. A 3-1 Old Firm victory over Rangers FC. The atmosphere at Celtic Park has been described as “insane” and “the best I’ve ever played in” by defender Auston Trusty. Speaking after the Rangers win, Trusty didn’t hold back: “I don’t think we’ve ever stopped believing. With the momentum we have now, I would say it can be really magical.” Celtic face Motherwell FC on Wednesday. A win sets up a final-day showdown with Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday. The magic is real. The belief is real. The title is coming.
THE COLLAPSE (Hearts)
While Celtic are charging, Hearts are crumbling. Two key players — Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard — have been ruled out for the rest of the season with Achilles injuries suffered in the Motherwell draw. Halkett was stretchered off. Leonard was later seen on crutches. Both are gone for the final two games. Hearts’ squad was already thin. Now it’s hanging by a thread. To make matters worse, Hearts were denied what many believed was a clear penalty against Motherwell. Manager Derek McInnes was booked for protesting. “The biggest decision of the lot of them he got wrong,” McInnes fumed.
THE COLLAPSE (Rangers)
And then there’s Rangers. Five games to win the title. Three straight defeats. A 3-1 loss at Celtic Park. No trophy. No Champions League. Third place. The fans are furious. The manager is under pressure. The captain is being blamed. One supporter summed it up perfectly: “The title was there to be won. In the end, Rangers lost it. They blew it.”
THE RACE
Celtic: 73 points. Two games left. Momentum. Hearts: 74 points. Two games left. Injuries. Rangers: 69 points. Two games left. Finished. One race. Two games. Three clubs. Someone is about to collapse. Someone is about to celebrate.
