Hearts and Celtic set for Scottish Premiership decider as title race reaches climax
Hearts lead by one point and can secure first title since 1960 with a draw, while Celtic must win to retain the championship in a match broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Hearts face Celtic in the final day of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, 16 May, at Celtic Park in Glasgow, with the league title hanging in the balance. Hearts currently lead Celtic by one point and can secure their first league championship since 1960 by avoiding defeat in the match. Celtic will retain the title if they win the fixture, which is scheduled to kick off at 12:30pm local time.
The conclusion of the season follows a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday night, when Celtic secured a 3-2 victory over Motherwell. The result, influenced by a contentious penalty decision, kept the Hoops in contention and extended their winning streak to six consecutive games. This outcome dashed Hearts’ hopes of a simpler path to the title, forcing them to navigate a high-pressure scenario at the home of their rivals.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has named an unchanged starting XI from the recent win over Motherwell, with Sebastian Tounekti selected on the wing in place of Luke McCowan. O’Neill praised the team’s resilience, stating that the players had shown "enormous character" to keep the title race alive. Daizen Maeda has continued his scoring run for the club, while Kelechi Iheanacho remains available as an impact substitute.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes has shifted to a back-three formation for the decider, starting defensive wing-backs Harry Milne and Jordi Altena. McInnes has omitted Claudio Braga from the starting lineup, with Blair Spittal also dropping to the bench. Despite leading the table since September, McInnes acknowledged his team as "underdogs" due to Celtic’s financial resources, noting the challenge of competing in such a high-stakes environment.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage commencing at 11:30pm. The fixture marks a significant moment in Scottish football, challenging Celtic’s dominance as they have won 13 of the last 14 Scottish Premiership titles. The outcome will determine whether Hearts can end the Old Firm’s long-standing hegemony or if Celtic will maintain their grip on the league.
