Derek McInnes has addressed the post-split fixtures, with Hearts set to travel to Celtic Park in the final game of the season in what could be a title decider.
The match already stands out. Celtic at home, Hearts arriving with the league potentially on the line, and only around 600 away supporters expected in the stadium. That limit comes from the same ticketing approach Hearts introduced at Tynecastle in the past.
It adds another edge to the game. Celtic Park will be full, and the balance of the crowd will lean heavily one way. In tight games, that can shape how the match feels from the first minute.
McInnes has acknowledged the fan side of it, but his focus is firmly on the football. With the title race still close, the attention is on what happens on the pitch rather than what surrounds it.
He said: (Hearts FC), “First of all, the thought for the fans, because obviously there’s an effect on them getting 600 tickets or something, which is the way, but I also thought that the league’s going to try and get a fixture at the death that would be pretty key. Hopefully, as I say, we’re still in with a chance of winning the title going into our last game.
“If both teams are still in the mix for winning a league, it’s the most dramatic fixture you can have.
“Not everybody’s going to be happy. I think the league have got a tough job to try and keep every club happy and every set of supporters happy.
“But for us, we’re just obviously excited by the games that’s coming up.
“I don’t want to get too caught up in it, that we’re unhappy about things. We’re excited to be in amongst it and excited to be part of these fixtures.”
From a Celtic point of view, the picture is straightforward. The games that matter are at Celtic Park, and that gives them something to work with. The Green Brigade returning this Saturday against St Mirren should lift the place again, and that noise can make a difference when matches are tight.
Hearts have done well to stay in the race, but coming to Celtic Park is a different test. If Celtic get on top early, the pace of the game changes and it becomes harder for away sides to settle.
For Celtic, it comes down to taking care of what’s in front of them. Get through the next fixtures, stay in touch, and then deal with the final day when it comes. If it does come down to that game, the Hoops will fancy it at home.
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