Daizen Maeda scored a brilliant overhead kick to put Celtic 3-1 ahead, just four minutes after he had given them the lead earlier in the match.
If the jubilant scenes at the final whistle are any indication, Celtic believe they are on the verge of reclaiming the Scottish Premiership title. This victory carried enormous significance, not only for the renewed optimism in Glasgow’s East End but also for intensifying scrutiny on Rangers manager Danny Röhl. His side’s latest collapse will inevitably raise doubts about whether Röhl is the right man for the job.
Celtic have narrowed Hearts’ lead at the top to a single point, with a three-goal deficit in goal difference. The next chapter in this gripping title race takes place on Wednesday evening, as Celtic travel to Motherwell and Hearts host Falkirk. The prospect of a final-day showdown—Hearts visit Celtic Park on Saturday—looms larger than ever. For Celtic, they face direct rivals who have hit top form at the perfect moment. Falling short now, as Hearts aim to become the first non-Old Firm champion since 1985, would be a bitter blow.
Scottish Premiership standings (top 5):
1. Hearts – 36 games, GD +32, 77 pts
2. Celtic – 36, +29, 76
3. Rangers – 36, +31, 69
4. Motherwell – 36, +23, 58
5. Hibernian – 36, +14, 54
There is some hyperbole regarding the magnitude of Celtic’s achievement should they win the title. After all, they have a wealth of players and a manager who know exactly how to succeed in this environment, backed by vastly superior resources compared to the team they are chasing. Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous eight-game managerial tenure is a distant memory. Yet the atmosphere around Celtic had been so sombre for much of the season that finishing on the ultimate high under a 74-year-old manager would feel extraordinary. This would be no ordinary triumph for the club.
Martin O’Neill said Celtic received “a bit of a boost” after Hearts were held by Motherwell on Saturday evening. The Irishman, who has occasionally been critical of performances, was understandably glowing about this result. “We played some great stuff,” O’Neill added. “We have a really difficult game at Motherwell. I can’t even think about the other one until that game is played. It is in our hands. The run we are on gives us confidence.”
Celtic fans celebrating the derby victory. (Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters)
In late March, Celtic lost 2-0 at Dundee United, a blow that seemed fatal at the time. O’Neill credits a subsequent international break as a turning point; Celtic have taken 15 points from a possible 15 since then.
Rangers, having spent over £40m on their squad, somehow find themselves third in a two-horse race. There will be no silverware at Ibrox this summer, an embarrassing scenario for a club that places such emphasis on winning. “I take responsibility,” said Röhl. “There will be learnings and consequences. We have to develop resilience in some moments.”
The German coach often points out he was appointed in October, seemingly distancing himself from blame for the entire season. Yet Rangers had played eight league games before he arrived. It would be unwise to bet against Röhl becoming the latest in a long line of decent coaches chewed up and spat out by Glasgow’s football scene. Steven Gerrard remains out of work but still highly regarded at Ibrox.
Rangers were a key factor in the Premiership equation before losing all three post-split games. They had grievances with officiating here. The visitors believed Yang Hyun-jun’s first-half equaliser should have been disallowed due to Benjamin Nygren
