Hearts Can Clinch Scottish Title After 66 Years If They Beat Falkirk and Celtic Lose

Heart of Midlothian can claim the Scottish league title on Wednesday for the first time in 66 years if they beat Falkirk at Tynecastle and Celtic lose to Motherwell at Fir Park.

Few expect that outcome, but Hearts have an exceptional home record this season. Motherwell already beat Celtic once under Wilfried Nancy.

Celtic have changed since then. Martin O'Neill's advice has pulled them back into the title race after a poor run under Nancy. They trail Hearts by one point but remain bookmakers' favorites to win the league.

Hearts have led the table since September through 36 games and 3,240 minutes over 10 months. This marks their best league season since they fell short on the final day 40 years ago.

Doubters dismissed them early when Tony Bloom bought the club and predicted they could break the Old Firm dominance in one season. Questions grew in December after four straight dropped points. Late spring brought more skepticism with losses to two bottom-six teams and a draw against last-place Livingston.

Injuries hurt them then and now, but Hearts kept going. Manager Derek McInnes has preached belief at Tynecastle.

The Tynecastle Arms pub near the stadium doubles as a museum with John Robertson's first boots in a glass case, a plaque for the 5-1 Scottish Cup final win over Hibs, and walls of photos from past glories.

Patrons there on Monday nursed pints without certainty about new history. They recalled heartbreak, like the 1986 final-day loss at Dens Park to Dundee that cost the title. Mark, who attended, said, "I didn't know what to do with myself afterwards. I remember the goals that beat us and this incredible feeling of wanting to get the hell out of there as fast as possible. I remember walking forever to get the bus and all the way along I saw grown men in tears and being consoled by their sons and daughters. That sticks with me. Children comforting fathers, not the other way around."

Saturday's 1-1 draw at Fir Park rattled Hearts fans. Alexandros Kyziridis went down after contact from Tawanda Maswanhise, but referee Steven McLean denied a penalty. VAR review upheld the call. McInnes said Willie Collum, head of referees, confirmed it was an error.

Fans at the pub vented frustration over perceived bias favoring west-coast teams.

Celtic could end Hearts' run, but it has lasted far longer than expected. Early media interest from England and Ireland grew as Rangers and Celtic struggled under Russell Martin and Nancy. Requests poured in from France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, Sweden, the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Uganda, Kazakhstan, and Nigeria.

Hearts last won the league 60 years ago. No one outside Rangers and Celtic has won in 41 years. The Old Firm hold 55 titles each; others have at most four, claiming 85 percent of all championships.

Hearts finished seventh last season, 42 points behind Celtic. They have 15,500 season-ticket holders to Rangers' 45,000 and Celtic's 53,000. Over two decades of European games, Celtic earned £370 million to £420 million, Rangers £235 million to £270 million, and Hearts about £25 million. Hearts' latest turnover was £24 million against Rangers' £94 million and Celtic's £143 million.

Rangers are out of contention after losses to Motherwell, Hearts, and Celtic. Hearts lead with 77 points, a record for a non-Old Firm team, one point ahead of Celtic with a three-goal better difference.

They have won in the 86th, 87th, and 88th minutes, three times past 90, and four straight against the Old Firm. They beat Celtic, Rangers, and Hibs home and away and led at Christmas.