Hearts are on the cusp of winning their first Scottish Premiership title in 12 years after Celtic’s dismal season reached new lows. The Jambos secured a crucial 2-0 win over their city rivals at Tynecastle Park on Wednesday, moving nine points clear at the top of the table with five games remaining.
The win marked Hearts’ 12th league victory of the season, with their fans now firmly believing their team can bring an end to the 12-year title drought. Celtic, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistency this term, and this result saw them slip to fifth in the standings, a staggering 22 points behind their Edinburgh counterparts.
Key moments
Hearts took the lead in the 25th minute when a well-worked move saw Michael Smith find the back of the net with a clinical finish. The home side doubled their advantage just before the hour mark, with a Steven Naismith penalty sealing the win and condemning Celtic to a fifth consecutive defeat.
Reaction
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was left to rue his side’s poor display, saying: ‘We’re not doing enough to win games. We’re creating chances but not taking them. It’s a difficult situation, but we’ll regroup and look to bounce back.’
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson, on the other hand, was ecstatic about his team’s performance, saying: ‘It was a big win for us, and we’re delighted to move nine points clear at the top. The fans were fantastic, and we’re grateful for their support.’
What it means
The win leaves Hearts in a commanding position to claim their first title since 2012. They will need to maintain their form, but with Celtic’s struggles continuing, it’s hard to see them slipping up. The Jambos have 54 points from 31 games, while Celtic have 32 from the same amount of matches.
Up next
Hearts travel to Kilmarnock next Saturday, kick-off 3:00pm BST.
References
- AS
