NafisaMartin O’Neill has delivered a warm and respectful message towards Hearts after their 2-1 victory over Rangers on Monday evening, a result that has shaken up the title race heading into this weekend’s Old Firm clash at Parkhead.
Goals from Stephen Kingsley and Lawrence Shankland secured a huge win for the Tynecastle side, one that not only boosted their own title push but also dealt a blow to Rangers and handed Celtic a fresh lifeline in the race.
While O’Neill admitted he had been quietly hoping for a draw to put matters firmly back in his own hands, the Celtic boss did not hesitate to give full credit to Hearts for the way they have gone about their business this season.
“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,” he said.
“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. 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.”
O’Neill’s praise did not stop there. He went further in recognising the work being done behind the scenes at Hearts, pointing to the influence of Tony Bloom and the club’s growing ambition.
“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.”
It was a message that reflected both respect and realism. Hearts are no longer just part of the chasing pack. They are setting the pace, and doing so with intent.
For Celtic, the situation is now clear ahead of Sunday. With Hearts in control of their own destiny, O’Neill’s side must focus entirely on their own results, starting with a must-win encounter against Rangers.
The stage has been set by Hearts. Now it is down to Celtic to respond when it matters most.
Nafisa
