Celtic vs Hearts LIVE: Scottish Premiership match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Arrivals: Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has a huge role to play in Celtic title deciderGettyAn extraordinary Scottish Premiership title race is going right down to the wire as Celtic and Hearts contest what is sure to be a thrilling final-day decider this lunchtime. The Jambos head to Glasgow still sitting top of the table and with a one-point advantage after more midweek drama, meaning a draw would be enough to see them clinch a first top-flight title since 1960, becoming the first club from outside Scotland’s Old Firm to do so since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen 41 years ago. Derek McInnes’ men did all they could on Wednesday to try and wrap things up with a game to spare as they brushed aside Falkirk, though Celtic kept the battle alive by eking out a highly-controversial 3-2 victory at Motherwell. Kelechi Iheanacho converted a contentious 99th-minute penalty at Fir Park, the award of which following a VAR review has been strongly criticised including by McInnes, who called it “disgusting”.Without that penalty, Celtic would have had to defeat Hearts by three goals to retain their title and claim a 56th triumph to move clear of Rangers for the all-time lead. Now any win will do, though they have failed to beat Hearts on three occasions this season. Follow Celtic vs Hearts live below!Celtic vs Hearts latest newsAtmosphere buildingThere already looks to be quite the pre-match atmosphere outside Celtic Park, with the home fans greeting the team buses and making their voices heard ahead of what they hope will be the most memorable final day.Hearts have an allocation of only 752 tickets for this afternoon’s game, so most of their supporters will have to make do with watching on from home or in the pubs of Edinburgh.PAGettyCeltic vs Hearts: Who is the title favourite today?It’s difficult to know who exactly should be considered favourites for this decisive title clash.As mentioned, 14 of the last 15 Scottish Premiership titles and 55 overall plus home advantage and a seven-match winning streak across all competitions would appear to point the dial firmly in Celtic’s favour.But, as mentioned so many times already this morning, Hearts have less to do and are not short on confidence or momentum themselves, winning seven of the last 10 and so dominant against Falkirk last time out.They would of course have preferred this decider to be at Tynecastle, where they went unbeaten in the league this season for the first time in 88 years, but Derek McInnes’ men have already won 2-1 at Celtic Park this term and have not lost to the defending champions in three games - with a 3-1 win and 2-2 draw at home.Of course the pressure on Hearts feels far more significant, given that they are looking to win a first top-flight title since 1960 and in the process break the Old Firm’s 41-year dominance of Scottish football.You also have to majorly factor in the sheer emotional drama and fallout of Wednesday night, with that massively controversial last-gasp Celtic penalty award and how it has affected both sides - leaving Celtic absolutely jubilant, but Hearts deflated and angry.So many fascinating subplots surround what should be an unforgettable occasion.London StandardCeltic vs Hearts title permutations The state of play following that aforementioned midweek drama means you don’t need to get the calculators out for a long list of potentially complicated title permutations and tie-breakers this afternoon.The equation is perfectly simple, with Hearts going into this decider sitting top of the table on 80 points - one ahead of Celtic.That means that the Jambos would win the title by avoiding defeat in Glasgow, though obviously sealing it with a win at the home of the dominant force that have won 14 of the last 15 Scottish Premiership crowns would really be the icing on the cake.If Celtic had lost to Motherwell on Wednesday as Hearts beat Falkirk, the race would already be over.Indeed, a draw would have left Celtic needing to win today by three goals to snatch the title on goal difference.However, that last-gasp controversial penalty to clinch victory at Fir Park means that any win for Celtic today would see them reign supreme once more.There is obviously no possibility of the two clubs finishing level on points now, so goal difference - with Hearts on +35 compared to Celtic’s +30 - is irrelevant, as are all other potential tiebreakers.GettyCeltic vs Hearts predictionThere is just one point in it, with Hearts still in control of their own title destiny going into this final-day decider.A draw for Derek McInnes’ men and they are Scottish top-flight champions for the first time since 1960.Celtic have all of the winning pedigree, however, and also have crucial home advantage.Luck was smiling down on them after a hugely controversial penalty award against Motherwell in midweek, a call that Gary Lineker, amongst others, dubbed maybe the worst VAR decision he had ever seen.It feels like it could be a crucial factor in deciding the outcome of this most thrilling championship battle, with Celtic now needing just to win, rather than winning by three goals.GettyHearts team newsLeaders Hearts also remain without a host of injured players this afternoon including Marc Leonard, Craig Halkett, Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof, Tomas Magnusson and Ageu.Manager Derek McInnes has a real dilemma as to how to approach today’s game, which will obviously impact his lineup choices.With only a point needed for a first title in 66 years, does he err on the side of defensive caution and implement a system change after Falkirk were swept aside so comprehensively in midweek?Or will he be bold and encourage his confident side to go out and attack Celtic, putting the pressure on from the outset to try and clinch glory in style?It is a huge, huge call and I don’t envy him it.PA WireCeltic team newsIt’s rather a case of as you were in terms of team news for both title contenders this afternoon.They each have long injury lists still, but are not believed to be dealing with any fresh concerns ahead of today’s decider so should have the same squads available as for their respective and contrasting midweek wins over Falkirk and Motherwell.For Celtic, there is still no Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tomas Cvancara, Julian Araujo, Colby Donovan, Kasper Schmeichel or Callum Osmand.It remains to be seen if Martin O’Neill will be pondering any changes after Wednesday’s exhausting late drama at Fir Park, with match-winner Kelechi Iheanacho in a rich vein of scoring form.GettyHow to watch Celtic vs HeartsTV channel: In the UK, today’s Scottish Premiership title decider between Celtic and Hearts will be televised live on Sky Sports.Coverage begins at 11.30am BST on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the game live online via the Sky Go app.Celtic vs Hearts liveIt all comes down to this.Celtic and Hearts clash this lunchtime in one of the biggest games Scottish football has seen for decades - a final-day decider for Premiership title glory.Following one of the most incredible and dramatic races that hit a new level of controversy in midweek, Hearts go to Glasgow with a one-point lead at the summit knowing that by avoiding defeat today they would clinch their first top-flight title since 1959/60.If they pull it off, the Jambos would be the first club outside the Old Firm to win it since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen side some 41 years ago in 1984/85.Hearts have already won at Celtic Park this season and not lost to the defending champions in three meetings, but Martin O’Neill’s side have won their last six games on the spin and are hunting a 56th title to move one clear of arch-rivals Rangers on the all-time list.Their highly-controversial last-gasp penalty to beat Motherwell in midweek means a win of any kind this afternoon would see them crowned kings of Scotland once more.Kick-off is at 12:30pm BST, so keep it right here for all your match build-up, breaking team news and live minute-by-minute game updates.This should be absolutely epic...London Standard