NafisaCeltic boss Martin O’Neill has admitted his expectation of a draw between Hearts and Rangers did not come off, while also offering praise to the Jambos for their push in the Premiership title race.
The reigning champions were left watching on as goals from Stephen Kingsley and Lawrence Shankland secured a 2-1 victory for the Tynecastle side.
That result means that, heading into the Old Firm on Sunday, Hearts could move six points clear at the summit with two matches remaining against Falkirk and Celtic, provided they beat Motherwell on Saturday.
If that happens, Celtic, already behind on goal difference, would be forced to beat Rangers just to keep their hopes realistically alive.
Rangers, meanwhile, sit seven points adrift of Hearts, and the Parkhead manager believes it has now effectively become a two horse battle for the crown unless something extraordinary unfolds. Their aim will be to win every remaining fixture, but Celtic are aware that those in maroon are now firmly in control of their own fate.
Will Hearts win the Premiership title?
“Rangers are number of points behind Hearts, and there are only three games left, so that would be difficult to overcome at this particular stage,” O’Neill said on talkSPORT. “I think that’s the case but it’s not impossible. It can happen. You can still win your games and there are very difficult matches still for all of us to come through.
“From our own position, we have to try and win the three games. But even then, strangely, that might not mathematically be enough, with Hearts having a better goal difference than us. I still think there’s a couple of twists still left. If you are looking at it from a viewpoint of what you can do, all we can do is try to win our matches, and they are difficult matches.
“I suppose probably deep down I was looking for a draw (between Hearts and Rangers). A draw is very, very difficult to cheer on, but I think that was the case as that would then have put it in our own hands. As it turns out, mathematically speaking, it’s not actually in our own hands. It’s actually a great credit to Hearts this season for investing and going strongly at it, getting their noses in front and being able to stay there.
Martin O’Neill on Premiership title race
The Hoops have turned to O’Neill again this season, with the veteran stepping in for a second spell after the departures of previous managers Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy.
He insists Celtic are still in the mix, though minority owner Tony Bloom’s investment into Hearts to the tune of £9.86m, along with his Jamestown Analytics model, could see the Edinburgh side become regular challengers in O’Neill’s view.
“From our own viewpoint, it’s been a tough old season,” he added.
“The players have had a number of managers. I don’t know how many times I’ve come in myself. It feels like about six or seven in the one year! But credit to the team, we’re still fighting, we still have a chance. There’s no question about it. We still have to try and win our games but it’s been a long time since a split game between Celtic and Rangers doesn’t constitute the winning of the title.
“Tony Bloom has invested in Brighton and he’s done the same at Hearts. If you look at it from a neutral point of view, which I am not, but if you were then there’s been excitement this season. Hearts have thrown down the gauntlet to the two big teams and I think that can only be good for the Premiership.”
Nafisa
