ANDY Halliday insists that the potential Celtic title party at Tynecastle doesn‘t distract him and his Hearts side, instead, they are focused on continuing their own revival under Steven Naismith and closing the gap to Aberdeen in third place.
Halliday has said that although the last game against Celtic at Tynecastle didn‘t go as well as they had hoped, their other games against the champions–elect have been competitive. Despite Celtic winning 3-1 and 2-0 in the league, as well as 3-0 in the Scottish Cup.
The former Ibrox man is confident of a good performance and remains motivated to win, regardless of when Celtic claim the title. To be fair, he’s already attended a Celtic title clinching party.
The motivation for the Hearts players is to get points for the club and secure European football for next season, not to stop Celtic from winning the title on the first game on the split.
He said: [Daily Record]
“Celtic have been the most dominant side in Scotland for a period of time. Our games against them over the last two years have been really competitive, although we haven’t always got results. We have shown ourselves in good light apart from the last game against them at Tynecastle.
“People think because it might decide the title that it would naturally give you an extra 10 per cent. For me, it really doesn’t. Whether I’m playing a kickabout in training or a Scottish Cup final, you want to win. That doesn’t change whether Celtic can win the league this week or next week. The fact is: They’re going to win the league.
“The motivation for us is getting points for Hearts. These are five massive games and we want European football for the club again next year.”
