A last-gasp, hugely controversial penalty for Celtic at Motherwell on Wednesday night gave them a 3-2 victory and ensured this thrilling Scottish Premiership title race will have the most dramatic possible conclusion. Hearts, who beat Falkirk 3-0 midweek, need just a point to be crowned champions for the first time since 1960 and to become the first team outside the Old Firm to win the league since Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in 1985.
That Kelechi Iheanacho penalty was a bitter blow for Hearts, who would only have needed a two-goal defeat to win the league as things stood. The Edinburgh side still have reason to be hopeful, having not lost in three games to Celtic this season, although their 2-1 victory at Celtic Park in December came during Wilfried Nancy's disastrous brief tenure in Glasgow.
The stakes in Saturday's game are at an entirely different level and it remains to be seen how Derek McInnes' side will cope with the pressure and Celtic's fervent home support. Hearts have stumbled on the road lately, winning just one of their last six on their travels.
Celtic haven't always convinced of late but their title-winning machine has clicked into gear once again under Martin O'Neill, winning six in a row and all four of their games since the league split. Their late winner at Motherwell was one you associate with league titles, and may have given them the upper hand while knocking the stuffing out of Hearts. We're predicting that at a febrile Parkhead, Celtic will have just about enough to get over the line, beating Hearts 2-1 to win a record 56th Scottish league title.
Our prediction: Celtic 2-1 Hearts
