The Albany Gazette - Hearts ready to 'rip up the script' in Celtic title showdown

Leaders Hearts must avoid defeat in their last-day showdown with second-placed Celtic in Glasgow to clinch the trophy.

That would make Hearts the first side other than Celtic and Rangers to win the Scottish title since Aberdeen in 1984/85.

A highly controversial penalty deep into stoppage time handed Celtic a 3-2 victory at Motherwell on Wednesday to keep them one point behind Hearts.

Without that late winner, the defending champions would have needed to beat Hearts by three goals to retain the title.

Now a Celtic victory by any margin will ensure the title stays in the east end of Glasgow.

McInnes branded the penalty decision "disgusting" in the aftermath, but tried to put that behind him as he looked ahead to a "box office" conclusion to a thrilling title race.

"It's a perfect ending to a season for the league, for Scottish football, for drama and excitement... It's pure box office," said McInnes ahead of Scotland's first final-day title shoot-out since 1991.

"It'll be bedlam, it'll be an unbelievable atmosphere. There might be people out there who think everything's back on script, 'Celtic win their home game, they win the league'.

"But we've ripped the script up so often this season, and we've got one more in us I think, and it's up to us to try and make that happen."

Hearts have capitalised on a chaotic campaign for Celtic and Rangers to lead the league since September.

They have already set a new club record for points by reaching 80 and went the entire league season unbeaten at home.

But Celtic will provide the acid test for Hearts as Martin O'Neill's men aim for a 14th title in 15 years.

The Hoops have won six consecutive league games to storm back into title contention under interim boss O'Neill.

"Regardless of what happens tomorrow, it has been a brilliant campaign, but it could be the most special campaign," added McInnes.

"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."

(L.Thomas--TAG)