NafisaSky Sports have made their choice regarding the Scottish Premiership title race for Wednesday night, and many Celtic supporters will be far from impressed by it.
The broadcaster has announced that Hearts against Falkirk at Tynecastle will be shown live instead of Celtic’s away clash with Motherwell, despite only one point separating the two clubs at the top with just two fixtures left to play.
Martin O’Neill’s men forced themselves firmly back into the title picture with Sunday’s 3-1 derby triumph over Rangers at Celtic Park. Daizen Maeda’s second-half brace reduced Hearts’ advantage to a single point after the Edinburgh side were held to a 1-1 draw at Fir Park on Saturday evening.
That outcome completely shifted the complexion of the race heading into the midweek round of fixtures.
Celtic now return to Motherwell fully aware that victory would apply enormous pressure on Hearts before the final weekend of the season. Rather than selecting that encounter for live coverage, Sky Sports have chosen to concentrate on the current league leaders at Tynecastle.
The broadcaster will still cut to any goals scored by Celtic or Motherwell as they happen, but for supporters, it does not quite carry the same feel.
It is certainly a fascinating decision when looking at the broader picture surrounding the title battle.
Motherwell against Celtic comes loaded with pressure for the visitors after everything that has unfolded over the past couple of months. Back in March, defeat at Tannadice left many believing Celtic’s title hopes were finished entirely. Since then, O’Neill’s side have regrouped and rediscovered momentum at exactly the right stage of the campaign.
There is also the added tension of Celtic kicking off simultaneously knowing that any dropped points could effectively hand control straight back to Hearts before the decisive showdown at Celtic Park next Saturday.
That final day clash between Celtic and Hearts has already been selected for live television coverage by Sky Sports, with the championship potentially set to be decided on the final afternoon of the season.
Should results fall Celtic’s way in midweek, the atmosphere inside Celtic Park for that match could become one of the most intense seen all year.
From a television perspective, plenty of supporters will argue the bigger football story on Wednesday night is unfolding in Lanarkshire rather than Edinburgh.
Especially after the drama, noise and emotion produced at Celtic Park during Sunday’s derby.
Sky Sports, however, clearly view it differently.
Nafisa
