Hearts face Celtic tomorrow at lunchtime still reeling from the midweek events that have dented their Scottish Premiership title chances.
The Edinburgh club went top with a point from Celtic, but it could have been very different had it not been for a stunning last-minute penalty that earned the Hoops a vital 3-2 win at Motherwell on Wednesday night.
Hearts had already seen Falkirk and Tynecastle fans eagerly awaited news of the full-time whistle at Fir Park. However, video assistant referee (VAR) Andrew Dallas called referee John Beaton to the sidelines after Motherwell’s Sam Nicholson challenged Kelechi Iheanacho with a high ball inside the area.
The ball appeared to hit Nicholson on the head but Beaton provided a spot-kick which was duly converted by a calm Iheanacho.
Had the penalty not been awarded, Hearts would have headed to Glasgow with three points and must have avoided a three-goal deficit to become the first non-Old Firm side to win the Scottish title since 1985 when Aberdeen lifted it under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Now they must avoid defeat of any kind.
McInnes called the penalty award a “disgrace” during the week and his stance had not really changed this morning.
He told Sky Sports News: “[Over] The last few games we will hear a real complaint. I think questions need to be asked, but I don’t think today is the day for that. I think we welcome it later this season.
“We can all be lucky. We have been lucky this season. We can all suffer as managers and teams if you have a sense of grievance, but I feel that questions need to be asked.”
This controversy has overshadowed what has been a fantastic Premiership season, which McInnes sees as a shame. He added: “I think it’s disappointing that there was so much attention in this game. I think that we had so many discussions and discussed the referee’s decisions is something wrong, to be honest, because this season has been very good, there are a lot of good things.
“Whether it’s Motherwell, Falkirk, ourselves, Celtic, especially under Martin [O’Neill]there have been many good things about the Scottish game.
“I think for us now, it’s about trying to finish off what has been a great season and let’s hope it’s on a higher level than anything else.”
Regarding the challenge that awaits his side as they try to secure their first league title in 66 years, McInnes said: “We have to go there and do well, first and foremost.
“I think whenever you go to Celtic Park with your team; you have to do a lot of things right. There’s a consistency, a message of what you need to try to do there. And obviously tomorrow, with everything that comes with it, that’s just enhanced, really, because it’s a great end to a season of league, Scottish football, drama and an exciting box office.
Celtic have been playing solid football for almost the entire season and captain Callum McGregor is delighted to have given himself the chance to claim a 14th title in 15 years.
He told the club’s website: “Our aim was to take it to the last day, it’s in our hands and that’s all we can ask for.
“From where we were at the end of December, to go back, and we are under pressure now for two or three months to win all the games, the players have responded well, now we have a chance to have our day on Saturday.
“I’m sure that the stadium will be very hot considering the wind, we have to go and take the game to them, and finally see if we can win the game.”
Celtic v Hearts team news
Celtic are reported to be healthy following their midweek win and O’Neill is likely to name the same XI that started at Fir Park.
Likewise with Hearts, with McInnes saying: “Nobody added and nobody went out on Wednesday night.”
Celtic v Hearts predicted lineup
Celtic: We have a lesson; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Engels, Nygren, Yang, Tounetki; Maeda
Hearts: Schwolow; Steinwender, Kent, Findlay, Milne; Kyziridis, Baningime, Devlin, Spittal; Braga, Shankland
Where to watch Celtic v Hearts
Celtic vs Hearts kicks off at 12.30pm tomorrow UK time. You can watch it on Sky Sports and stream with the Sky Go app.
Celtic v Hearts stats
- If Celtic win, it will be their 56th Scottish league title, surpassing Rangers’ 55.
- Hearts could become the first team in Scottish football history to win six games against two Old Firm clubs in one league season.
- Celtic are winless in three league games against Hearts this season
Celtic v Hearts Prediction
It will be a tough opportunity and Celtic have a lot of experience getting over the line.
As the neutrals would have preferred Hearts to win, we will go to Celtic to finish a tough game.
Prediction: Celtic 2-1 Hearts
