The title race has taken another turn after Hearts’ 2-1 win over Rangers at Tynecastle tonight, which all but ends Rangers’ title hopes, and the timing of fixtures now gives Celtic a clear picture of what is needed.
That puts pressure straight onto Sunday. Celtic face Rangers at Celtic Park, but they will already know exactly where they stand by kick-off.
It changes the feel of the game. There is no guessing. If Hearts win, Celtic must respond. If Hearts drop points, the chance is there to take advantage immediately.
The gap is small enough that every result shifts things. With only three games left, there is no time to recover from a slip.
From a Celtic point of view, the focus stays the same. The derby is the game that matters. Rangers may now be out of the title race, but they’ve shown before that they can turn up when it doesn’t matter, and you get the sense they’ll be right at it on Sunday.
The approach has to be sharp from the start. At Easter Road, Celtic controlled large parts but needed a late goal to get through. That cannot be left as late this time.
Rangers will look to disrupt the tempo and turn it into a physical game. Celtic need to move the ball quickly and use the wide areas to stretch it.
After that, Celtic go to Fir Park. It is never easy there, especially this late in the season. Motherwell will have already faced Hearts, so both title contenders will deal with the same test in quick succession.
Then it comes down to the final day. Celtic against Hearts at Celtic Park.
The order of fixtures means one thing. Celtic will know exactly what is required every step of the way.
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