Motherwell peril awaits Hearts & Rangers’ panic for second

Heart of Midlothian fans are getting their holiday requests in and scrambling for tickets before Wednesday’s game against Falkirk, which they hope will be the mother of all Tynecastle parties.

There is still a whole weekend of action to be played though, before the surprise Scottish Premiership leaders are in a position to seal a first top-flight crown since 1960.

Given Derek McInnes’ side play first – on Saturday against Motherwell (20:00 BST) – they have the chance to pile the pressure on Celtic before Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Celtic Park (12:00).

If Hearts have managed to increase their three-point lead over Martin O’Neill’s side by the end of the weekend, a win over Falkirk on Wednesday would mean they are champions with a game to spare.

But if Celtic emerge from the weekend without any further damage done, they can take it to a final-day showdown with Hearts in Glasgow by beating Motherwell on Wednesday.

It will be another few days of excitement and nerve-shredding tension in the Premiership regardless.

The comeback win against Rangers was a huge hurdle cleared for Hearts on an emotional Monday evening at Tynecastle.

However, playing Motherwell at Fir Park this season is among the toughest tests in the league. Only Falkirk, twice, have won there and Motherwell have conceded just nine goals in 17 home games – the fewest of any side in the division.

Hearts put in a conservative performance to get a 0-0 draw in their other visit back in November.

But even the games at Tynecastle between the sides have been keenly contested.

Motherwell were 3-0 up and cruising in August before Claudio Braga inspired a remarkable comeback to earn a draw, in a sign of things to come for Hearts.

Then Motherwell pushed Hearts to the final few moments last month before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat. Had the visitors been more clinical, it could have been a different result.

Motherwell have already derailed Rangers’ title challenge with a 3-2 win at Ibrox a fortnight ago, and Hearts will be well aware of the threat Jens Berthel Askou’s side pose.

Given Celtic visit Fir Park on Wednesday, Motherwell could well be the kingmakers as they chase fourth place and European football for themselves.

A Hearts victory would be a giant step towards history and ensure Celtic have no room for error. So far the men in maroon have handled everything thrown at them.

Celtic have not been convincing for most of the season – but are they improving the closer they get to the finish line?

The defending champions have won their last four games, their best run of victories in the Premiership since O’Neill took charge for the first time this term in October.

The 74-year-old Northern Irishman is unbeaten in his three derbies in this campaign, too, but all of them have been level after 90 minutes – and only a win will do on Sunday.

Celtic must take advantage of having nearly 60,000 fans roaring them on, their recent form, and the return of right-back and leader Alistair Johnston, to keep Hearts on their toes for the final two games.

Having a manager and players in their ranks who have won league titles before is one of the intangibles of football, but one Celtic need to harness.

Across the city, back-to-back defeats by Motherwell and Hearts have effectively killed Rangers’ title dream.

They are seven points behind the league leaders and, realistically, are playing for second place and the spot in the Champions League qualifiers that comes with it.

That incentive, plus the ability to derail Celtic’s title challenge is the motivation for Danny Rohl and his under-fire side.

The German had been credited with narrowing a 13-point deficit to Hearts when he took charge in October to a single point, but two losses when it matters most have damaged his standing.

His slowness to react to Motherwell’s dominance at Ibrox and Derek McInnes bringing on Blair Spittal at half-time at Tynecastle have raised questions about Rohl’s management which he could do with countering on Sunday.

Defeat would consign Rangers to third place for the first time since 2018. Given second is viewed as total failure by fans at Ibrox, that would be seriously chastening.