Heart of Midlothian

Celtic came from behind in an astonishing finale to beat long-time Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and deny them a first league title since 1960 - while securing their fifth title in a row after a miraculous season.

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Ryan Stevenson on BBC Sportsound:

"Hearts have had a taste of this. It will hurt, absolutely. You imagine they will sit on that bus and it will be really quiet.

"And, as the days and the weeks pass, it will sink in just how special this season has been.

"The fans will be crushed, but everyone - fans, board, players, manager is unified.

"It is a massive job for Celtic and Rangers to sort their problems and so I don't think it will be as easy, but I am so proud of them."

Allan Preston on BBC Sportsound

"Tony Bloom came in last year and everybody ridiculed and laughed saying he has come here to disrupt.

"It is only a year and they've done it.

"Hearts finishing second - nobody predicted that after they finished seventh last year - and I'm sure they'll get better.

"This might be the worst Hearts team you will see in the next 10 years.

"Hearts have the best man at the helm. Derek [McInnes] will dust himself down and will go again."

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"I just want to do it so badly. It would mean everything to so many people."

If Saturday at Celtic Park is to be Cammy Devlin's final game in a Hearts shirt, the midfielder would like nothing more than making it a title-winning occasion.

The Australian midfielder has spent the past five years at Tynecastle but is out of contract this summer.

"You speak to the Hearts supporters, you really get a feel of how big this really is," said Devlin. "I've been here long enough now to know what it means to play for Hearts.

"I think that's such an important thing when you come over here, to get the feeling of the club. It's super special.

"I feel so privileged to have been here as long as I have and to be in this position we are now, to be one game away from winning the league – there's no hiding away from that now, that's the reality – it's incredible."

Devlin said he is "feeling really good" after recent injury issues and cannot wait for the chance to make history at Celtic Park.

"If you don't want to play in this game, football's not for you," he said. "We've got 30-odd boys in that changing room that are busting to be out there.

"We're in an amazing position. What an opportunity we have. You've just got to relish it. When you're a kid growing up, you've watched these games on the telly, and to be a part of it, it's just so good, man.

"There's so much to play for. The carrot at the end of the game is there for everyone to see. We're so desperate to do it. We've just got to do what we've done all season in a massive game.

"I just love going into work every day to see all these boys and to do something special with them, it would mean the absolute world to not only us, but every single person associated with this football club. Fans, staff and all our families."

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Celtic have no fresh injuries for the title showdown.

Martin O'Neill is still without Jota (knee), Colby Donovan (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder), Tomas Cvancara (groin) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).

Callum Osmand continues his quest for fitness following hamstring surgery.

Hearts are set to have an unchanged squad, with Marc Leonard, Craig Halkett (both Achilles), Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof (both hamstring), Tomas Magnusson and Ageu (both thigh) all still out.

• Listen to live BBC Radio Scotland coverage from 11:30 BST on Saturday and watch Sportscene highlights from 19:15 on BBC Scotland.

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Nerves? What nerves?

Derek McInnes insists he is feeling no trepidation for Hearts' title decider at Celtic Park on Saturday and has urged his squad to embrace the "box office" occasion.

"I'm not nervous about it, but dealing with nerves is part of professional sport, particularly when it gets to this stage," the Tynecastle boss said.

"There's been a lot of pressure on our lads for a long time now. When you're playing for a club like Hearts, there is pressures and there should be. There's an expectation there, but I think the players have dealt with it brilliantly throughout the campaign.

"I'm actually not concerned with that side of it.

"Of course the game's huge, and it'll be different in so many aspects, but it's also exciting.

"As managers and players we play in some tough venues, no-mark stadiums and rotten conditions, so you have to enjoy playing in what it is tomorrow, 60,000, live on TV, a brilliant atmosphere, with it all at stake.

"I'd rather be playing in it than watching it. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, it has been a brilliant campaign, but it could be the most special campaign.

"With the records broken internally as a club, and what we've done this season, I think they'll always be regarded as a special team. But obviously if we want to elevate that, we have to go and win it.

"It's up to us to try and create our own history and our own legacy with a big performance."

Hearts intend to "rip up the script" one more time this season by winning the title at Celtic Park on Saturday, says head coach Derek McInnes.

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

After an incredible Scottish Premiership season, it all comes down to this Saturday as Celtic host Hearts in a seismic title shootout.

Celtic need to win while Hearts only need a point to be crowned top-flight champions for the first time since 1961 and become the first non-Old Firm winners in 41 years.

The previous meetings between the sides this season make good reading for Hearts fans.

Three different Celtic managers have tried, and failed, to beat the Tynecastle outfit as Martin O'Neill prepares for another attempt, this time with the biggest prize of all at stake.

Here's the story of their previous meetings this term...

26 October: Hearts 3-1 Celtic

Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers, had just suffered their first defeat to Dundee in 37 years and headed to Tynecastle five points behind the league leaders.

Dane Murray fired into his own net to put Hearts ahead inside 10 minutes but Callum McGregor hit back with his first goal of the season.

Alexandros Kyziridis restored Hearts' lead in the second half before Lawrence Shankland converted a spot-kick three minutes later to take all three points.

The defeat ultimately led to Rodgers' resignation the following day and the return of Martin O'Neill for his first interim spell.

7 December: Celtic 1-2 Hearts

Wilfried Nancy, appointed four days earlier, made his Celtic managerial debut - and Hearts spoiled the Frenchman's party.

Claudio Braga robbed Callum McGregor and tucked away the visitors' opener and Oisin McEntee emphatically headed Derek McInnes' side into a 2-0 lead.

Despite 15 shots and over 70 per cent possession, Celtic could only find a late consolation goal through Kieran Tierney.

That victory moved Hearts three points above Celtic, who had a game in hand.

25 January: Hearts 2-2 Celtic

After Nancy's disastrous spell Celtic again turned to O'Neill and he took charge of the most recent meeting between the sides.

Celtic - bidding to cut Hearts' title lead to three points - led through Benjamin Nygren's opener until Stuart Findlay headed the leveller early in the second half.

Hyun-jun Yang had Celtic back in front with half an hour left and it looked like O'Neill was on course for a win - until Auston Trusty's red card with just over 10 to play.

Braga netted a late equaliser to take a point and keep Hearts comfortably ahead in the title race.

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Former Hibs and Celtic midfielder Scott Allan says Derek McInnes and Hearts will relish heading to Parkhead as underdogs with Premiership glory on the line.

Hearts must avoid defeat on Saturday to clinch their first top-flight title in over 60 years, while defending champions Celtic need a win to retain the trophy.

With Celtic at home after winning in dramatic late fashion away to Motherwell on Wednesday night, many observers believe the momentum is with Martin O'Neill's side.

But Allan reckons that will suit McInnes and his Hearts players.

"McInnes will be happy to go there with all the pressure on Celtic," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I don't think you have to overcomplicate it. As long as you defend well and you make them defend, I think there's chances.

"Hearts have the two best strikers in the league in Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland, there's no getting away from that, and I do feel they will score goals so it's about how the crowd then reacts.

"Hearts have played Celtic three times this year and Celtic haven't beaten them yet so there is bit of confidence there.

"I think McInnes is going be happy going there with everyone expecting Celtic to win because what a way that would be for Hearts to clinch the title."

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Former Hearts striker Edgaras Jankauskas has praised "wise" head coach Derek McInnes and is willing the squad to complete a stunning title triumph.

Jankauskas, now the Lithuania national team boss, was part of the Hearts team of 2006 who topped the table after starteing the campaign with an eight-game winning run before going on to finish second, 17 points behind Celtic.

The 51-year-old is optimistic about Hearts' chances at Celtic Park on Saturday where the visitors will be crowned champions should they avoid defeat.

"I know that it's in their hands," Jankauskas told BBC World Service.

"So, no matter the opponents left to play, when you are a leading dog it's in your hands.

"I wish and I hope that they are not going to slip up and we'll finish first."

Much of Hearts' success this season can be attributed to head coach McInnes, who was appointed last summer.

And Jankauskas isn't surprised by the 54-year-old's success.

"He's done a terrific job," he added.

"He's composed, he's a very wise man. You can see the calmness after games and even after defeats.

"Of course, when you win more, it's easier to have that positive posture. But I judge or rate people on how they behave after unsuccessful spells.

"He's very constructive, logical thinking. So it's no surprise that he had success with this team."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hearts boss Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before his side's title decider away to Celtic on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• McInnes describes the game as "pure box office" and a "perfect ending to a season for the league, for Scottish football, for drama and excitement".

• He "genuinely thought" the title race would go to the final day and says Hearts have been preparing for that.

• He is seeking one more "big performance" from his side to "create our own history and our own legacy", adding: "The good thing for me is the confidence I feel in the players is so strong. We have to go there with courage, we have to go there with belief, and be bullish with our work."

• McInnes says some people may feel "everything's back on script" and Celtic will rack up another title, but insists: "We've ripped the script up so often this season and we've got one more in us I think. It's up to us to try and make that happen."

• While it has been a "brilliant" record-breaking campaign for his "special" Hearts team, McInnes is to determined to "elevate that" with the club's first top-flight title in 66 years.

• He received a "brilliant message" from Sir Alex Ferguson on Thursday and may speak to him before kick-off on Saturday.

• The Tynecastle boss expects there to be "bedlam" but an amazing atmosphere inside Celtic Park and says Hearts have to "do so many things right".

• On the controversy over Celtic's last-gasp penalty at Fir Park and recent refereeing decisions, McInnes says questions need to be asked about "glaring inconsistencies, a lot of confusion".

• He adds: "But today isn't the day for it. We all benefit, all clubs, all managers benefit from fortuitous decisions throughout a campaign. And times when you think you've been so hard done to. So that's normal. But I do think there's been huge focus on the Scottish Premiership, we're part of the story, that has created a bit more interest. And it's just a pity there's been [refereeing controversy] instead of all the positives."

• He says the "comment and condemnation" about some decisions recently has been "quite telling."

• McInnes is "not nervous" about the game and has "no concerns" over his players: "There's been a lot of pressure on our lads for a long time now. When you're playing for a club like Hearts, there is pressures and there should be. There's an expectation there, but I think the players have dealt with it brilliantly throughout the campaign."

• McInnes says counterpart Martin O'Neill has done "a brilliant job" and is probably the only manager who could have got Celtic into this position.

• McInnes admits the 3-1 Tynecastle win over Celtic in October - Brendan Rogers' last match in charge - was when he believed Hearts could go on to become champions: "I liked the arrogance of the team, the confidence of the team. That was really quite telling for me, I thought there was a wee shift in how we were that day, how we acted."

• The squad will be on similar lines to Wednesday with no fresh injury concerns.

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Former Parkhead manager Neil Lennon thinks "everything is in Celtic's favour" heading into Saturday's title decider at home to Hearts.

Kelechi Iheanacho converted a controversial injury-time spot-kick at Fir Park on Wednesday night to secure a vital three points and boost Celtic's hopes of a fifth straight title.

Currently one point behind the long-time leaders, Celtic will be crowned champions with victory, while Hearts only need a draw.

And ex-skipper Lennon, who won 10 trophies across two spells as Celtic boss, thinks the atmosphere in Glasgow's east end could overwhelm Derek McInnes' side on Saturday.

"I've played at Celtic Park with 60,000 fans at fever pitch," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"It raises your game 10, 15, 20 per cent. I think it's going to be so difficult for Hearts to come and get a result. All the momentum and everything is in Celtic's favour now."

It's been a turbulent campaign for Celtic who have been dragged back into the title race by interim boss Martin O'Neill.

They've scored 10 goals beyond the 90th minute this season, six of which have been winners.

"They've dug out result after result all season," Lennon added.

"I don't know how many last-minute winners they've had. People say it's luck. It's not luck, they just manage to keep going.

"They've not been brilliant by any means, Hearts have. Hearts have been incredible, Derek McInnes has done a brilliant job.

"Celtic have been far from convincing but it's going to be so difficult for Hearts to get the result they'll be looking for because all the momentum and the demand will be with Celtic."