Hearts face Celtic challenge to secure historic Scottish Premiership title

[p]A dramatic season is set for a thrilling finale after a controversial 99th-minute penalty handed [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/celtic/QFKRRD8M/"]Celtic[/a] victory at [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/motherwell/YuW7ZfMM/"]Motherwell[/a] on Wednesday.[/p][p]The defending champions are just one point behind [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hearts/0rGrwwNc/"]Hearts[/a] and know [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/celtic-QFKRRD8M/hearts-0rGrwwNc/?mid=MJFXPkfA"]that victory will deliver a 14th title in 15 seasons.[/a][/p][p][b]No side other than Celtic and Rangers have been crowned champions for 41 years.[/b][/p][p]Hearts have led almost the entire season, taking advantage of turmoil on both sides of the Old Firm divide in Glasgow.[/p][p]Aided by the arrival of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/brighton/2XrRecc3/"]Brighton[/a] owner Tony Bloom and his heralded data analytics program, the Jambos have overcome a huge financial disparity to challenge Celtic's domestic dominance.[/p][p]And the latest twist in the title race has added extra spice to a one-game shootout for the title.[/p][p]Without a late winner, Celtic would have needed to win by three goals on Saturday due to Hearts' superior goal difference.[/p][embed guid="a58fb5a3-65f4-4d13-a58e-ca595a9431ca" url="https://x.com/JamTarts/status/2054885374900441219" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"It's actually quite disgusting, to be honest,"[/b] said Hearts boss Derek McInnes after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/celtic-QFKRRD8M/motherwell-YuW7ZfMM/?mid=r9Uw48Xj"]Kelechi Iheanacho's spot-kick earned Celtic a 3-2 win at Motherwell.[/a][/p][p][b]"It feels like us against everybody."[/b][/p][p]Replays proved inconclusive as to whether Motherwell's [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/nicholson-sam/ETlmVDw6/"]Sam Nicholson[/a]'s raised arm had made contact with the ball in the box.[/p][p]Former England striker Gary Lineker labelled the call possibly the "worst VAR decision I've seen".[/p][p]Fan-owned Hearts said in a statement on Thursday they are "extremely concerned" by decisions in recent matches and have sought explanations from the football authorities.[/p][p]The possibility of being usurped by Celtic down the final straight is an all too familiar tale for Hearts fans who remember a similar story when they last came close to winning the league in 1985/86.[/p][p]Only needing to avoid defeat, Hearts conceded twice in the final seven minutes to lose 2-0 to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dundee-utd/8QEB2FFp/"]Dundee[/a] and allow Celtic to snatch the title on goal difference.[/p][embed guid="28e71a71-4e57-4077-b545-571ce2f58b13" url="https://x.com/GaryLineker/status/2054673648275894469" social-type="twitter" /][h2]O'Neill steadies Celtic[/h2][p]The Hoops have been in disarray on and off the field for much of the campaign.[/p][p]A failure to invest in the squad last summer caused uproar among the Celtic fanbase and paved the way for Brendan Rodgers's acrimonious departure as manager in October.[/p][p]Wilfried Nancy then lasted just 33 days in charge after losing six of his eight games.[/p][p]Twice, Martin O'Neill, 74, has returned to Celtic Park to steady the ship in interim spells.[/p][p]Despite still demanding boardroom change, fan protests have been toned down for the run-in and a six-month ban on an ultras group attending matches has been lifted by the club.[/p][p][b]Celtic's eight league defeats are the most they have suffered since 1999/2000, the season before O'Neill arrived at the club for the first time.[/b][/p][p]But they have hit form just in time to potentially retain the title with seven consecutive victories.[/p][embed guid="6f967ce8-66e4-445e-8d96-b06e3b763d8b" url="https://x.com/CelticFC/status/2054689248519893114" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"It's nice to take it into the final game which looked a long way off five or six weeks ago,"[/b] said O'Neill.[/p][p][b]"I think we have got a chance, we're at home. The atmosphere will be fantastic."[/b][/p][p]Hearts have won two and drawn one of the three previous meetings between the sides this season, but only the draw came against O'Neill's Celtic.[/p][p][b]"You're going into 60,000, the place will be rocking. For us, that type of game, that type of stage, we deserve that and we'll look forward to it,"[/b] added McInnes.[/p][p][b]"We're not going to shy away from it. We've got a good record against Celtic."[/b][/p]