Scottish Premiership Title Odds: Hearts Cut to 6/4 After Statement Win Over Celtic
Kai Watson 
Sunday provided the biggest test for Derek McInnes’ league leading Hearts side as current champions Celtic came to Tynecastle. Many thought this was the game for them to prove if they were genuine title contenders or whether their form so far had been a flash in the pan.
It’s fair to say that this is probably the most confident Hearts fans have gone into a game with Celtic in a while. Last weekend, Brendan Rodgers side deservedly lost 2-0 at Dens Park against Dundee whilst the previous day Hearts hammered Kilmarnock 3-0 at Rugby Park. Hearts confidence was on the rise whereas Celtic’s was slowly dwindling given their performances this season.
Celtic have had their fair share of injuries and went into the game without Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda, Jota and Kelechi Iheanacho. Although, even with them in the side, minus Jota, they’ve underperformed massively this season. Hearts did also go into the game without Calem Nieuwenhof, Christian Borchgrevink and Frankie Kent, however, their depth is as good as it’s ever been.
Many neutral fans fancied Hearts to continue their run of form and the mood seemed to be good in the home sides camp. As previously mentioned, on Celtic’s side confidence seemed to be at a real low with many fans doubting Rodger’s commitment and ability to take the team forward.
When the game started, Hearts pressed high and aggressively and forced Celtic to make mistakes and turn the ball over. It only took eight minutes to open the scoring when Schmeichel made a brilliant save from a Claudio Braga header but Shankland kept the ball alive and Dane Murray deflected the ball into his own net.
Despite Hearts early dominance and getting ahead, it lasted less than five minutes as McGregor neatly exchanged with Tierney on the left and turned the ball into the net to make it 1-1. Benjamin Nygren missed a massive chance when he had the full goal to aim at on his right foot, after cutting inside the defender, and somehow managed to place the shot in one of the few areas that Schwolow could get to but massive credit to the goalkeeper in making the save.
It stayed level until the break when Hearts came out exactly the same way they did in the first half. They were quicker getting a goal in this half as it only took seven minutes when Alexandros Kyziridis picked up the ball on the left, drove inside and unleashed a powerful right-footed shot past Schmeichel at his near post.
Then they piled on to Dane Murray’s misery when some nice close control from Braga led to the Scottish centre back bringing him down in the box, a clear penalty. Up stepped captain Shankland (who else?) and even though Schmeichel guessed the right way, he couldn’t stop the powerful low driven shot from the spot. Brazilian substitute Ageu had the chance to put Hearts 4-1 but he couldn’t convert his left-footed shot at the end of the counter attack.
In the end, it was a well deserved victory for Hearts and they have proven they have what it takes to be at least challengers for the title this season. They’ve now beaten Rangers at Ibrox then Hibs and Celtic at Tynecastle, three massive results and now they currently sit eight points clear and are the only unbeaten team in the league.
They couldn’t do it, could they?
Latest Scottish Premiership Odds
Hearts Odds - Next Two Games
Hearts now turn their attention to upcoming clashes with St Mirren and Dundee - check out the latest odds for both fixtures below from the top UK betting sites.
And don't forget, Kai's Scottish football tips are live on-site every week of the season, featuring his best bets and expert insight on the biggest games!
