The Scottish Premiership title race took another intriguing twist over the weekend, with Hearts of Midlothian and Celtic now set for a two-way race in the run-in.
Celtic temporarily went level on points with league leaders and surprise package Hearts following a narrow 2-1 victory over 10-man Hibernian at Easter Road Stadium.
That victory piled the pressure on Hearts and Rangers, who locked horns at Tynecastle Park in a mouth-watering Premiership top-of-the-table clash.
The league leaders came out on top, maintaining their slender advantage in the Championship Round.
That victory could make all the difference in the final weeks of the season as Hearts continue to sharpen their newfound champions mentality.
Here’s how the Scottish Premiership title race is shaping up after matchday 35.
Matchday 35 review
Celtic’s win over Hibernian stretched their winning streak to six games in all competitions, but it was hardly a walk in the park.
It took the Hoops a while to capitalise on their numerical advantage, but Daezen Maeda eventually broke the deadlock after his 41st-minute goal survived a VAR review.
Celtic looked set to head into the interval with a slender lead when Hibernian skipper Joe Newell levelled matters on the stroke of half-time.
That goal changed O’Neill’s half-time team talk, but Celtic remained favourites to come away with maximum points.
Celtic emerged from the tunnel looking to restore their lead. But it took them nearly half an hour into the second half to recapture the lead, with Kelechi Iheanacho netting the all-important goal.
The former Manchester City striker turned out to be the matchwinner, giving Hearts plenty to think about in Monday’s home clash against Rangers.
However, the league leaders responded in style as Derek McInnes’ side came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory – their third win over Rangers across their last four meetings (L1).
Rangers looked set to throw another curveball into the title race when ex-Chelsea ace Dujon Sterling put them ahead after just 23 minutes.
To make matters worse, Hearts hardly put up a fight in the first half. They had just 36% of the possession and failed to muster a single shot on target in 45 minutes.
However, whatever McInnes said at the break worked wonders as Hearts returned for the second half with a vengeance.
They were rewarded for their bravery in less than 10 minutes as Stephen Kingsley drew them level before Lawrence Shankland netted the matchwinner in the 71st minute.
As it stands
Hearts’ narrow win over Rangers restored their three-point lead over Celtic at the top of the table.
However, it may have effectively ended Rangers’ chances of wresting the crown from their Glasgow rivals for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign.
The Gers now sit seven points behind Hearts with just nine left to play for this season.
Another victory for Hearts will officially confirm this as a two-way race between the pacesetters and second-placed Celtic, who are determined to make it five title wins in a row.
However, there are still some key fixtures upcoming that could decide the fate of the coveted crown.
The tables will turn on matchday 36, with Hearts set to take on Motherwell at Fir Park Stadium on Saturday night before Sunday’s box office Glasgow derby between Celtic and Rangers.
A win for Hearts will end Rangers’ faint hopes of clinching the title and simultaneously extend their lead over Celtic to six points, temporarily giving the history-chasers some breathing space.
Hearts will go into the game against Motherwell as favourites. Aside from being champions-elect, they have lost just one of their last nine games against Motherwell (W5, D3).
They’re also unbeaten in their last six meetings with Motherwell (W3, D3).
However, they haven’t won a league game at Fir Park since November 2023, drawing two and losing one of their last three visits.
While Rangers are more or less out of the title race, they could still make the most of it by denying their rivals a chance at winning their fifth consecutive league title when they meet at Celtic Park.
If Rangers hold Celtic to a draw and Hearts end their winless streak at Motherwell, the Jam Tarts will be just one point away from breaking a 41-year record.
They could then finally secure the title when they host Falkirk on May 13.
