Scottish Premiership: Hearts knock Rangers out of the title race as Celtic extend winning streak
Scottish Premiership: Hearts knock Rangers out of the title race as Celtic extend winning streak The Scottish Premiership title race took another intriguing twist over the weekend, with Hearts of Midlothian and Celtic now set for a two-way race in the run-in. Celtic temporarily went level on points with league leaders and surprise package Hearts following a narrow 2-1 victory over 10-man Hibernian at Easter Road Stadium. That victory piled the pressure on Hearts and Rangers, who locked horns at Tynecastle Park in a mouth-watering Premiership top-of-the-table clash.
The league leaders came out on top, maintaining their slender advantage in the Championship Round. That victory could make all the difference in the final weeks of the season as Hearts continue to sharpen their newfound champions mentality. Here’s how the Scottish Premiership title race is shaping up after matchday 35.
Matchday 35 review Celtic’s win over Hibernian stretched their winning streak to six games in all competitions, but it was hardly a walk in the park. It took the Hoops a while to capitalise on their numerical advantage, but Daezen Maeda eventually broke the deadlock after his 41st-minute goal survived a VAR review. Celtic looked set to head into the interval with a slender lead when Hibernian skipper Joe Newell levelled matters on the stroke of half-time.
That goal changed O’Neill’s half-time team talk, but Celtic remained favourites to come away with maximum points. Celtic emerged from the tunnel looking to restore their lead. But it took them nearly half an hour into the second half to recapture the lead, with Kelechi Iheanacho netting the all-important goal.
The former Manchester City striker turned out to be the matchwinner, giving Hearts plenty to think about in Monday’s home clash against Rangers. However, the league leaders responded in style as Derek McInnes’ side came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory – their third win over Rangers across their last four meetings (L1). Rangers looked set to throw another curveball into the title race when ex-Chelsea ace Dujon Sterling put them ahead after just 23 minutes.