Celtic's Title Chase Heats Up as O'Neill Faces Tough Decisions Ahead
Martin O'Neill emphasized the tight race for the Scottish Premiership title, highlighting the minimal margin for error as his Celtic side continues to capitalize on rivals' mistakes. On Sunday, Celtic secured a 2-1 victory over Hibernian, who faced their fourth red card in three games. This win allows Celtic to close in on Hearts, with the reigning champions now trailing by only goal difference. With Rangers positioned four points behind both teams, the upcoming match at Tynecastle becomes crucial. O'Neill finds himself in an unusual situation where he might prefer Rangers to win, as a victory for Hearts would severely diminish Rangers' title chances, putting them seven points adrift with only three matches left. O'Neill expressed uncertainty about the ideal outcome, suggesting that a draw might be beneficial since it would prevent either team from gaining an advantage. After the tense win against Hibs, he acknowledged the pressure remains high: "We've won today, so there's a bit of relief for 24 hours." Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Celtic following a red card to Jamie McGrath, but Joe Newell equalized before Kelechi Iheanacho clinched the win with a decisive goal off the bench. Iheanacho, described as a "super impact player," has scored four times in his last five appearances, showcasing his ability to change games despite limited fitness. As O'Neill prepares for the crucial Old Firm derby next Sunday, he remains hopeful about Maeda's fitness, who ended the Hibs match limping. The outcome of this title race is still uncertain, with Celtic needing to maintain their form to secure back-to-back championships.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-03