- Martin O’Neill has described the outcome he wants at Tynecastle on Monday
- Celtic got the job done against Hibs, meaning they can now wait and see what unfolds – and something has to give
- The SPFL title race has swung against Rangers, who now must win the next two games
Martin O’Neill has detailed the outcome he wants when Hearts take on Rangers at Tynecastle on Bank Holiday Monday.
The Celtic boss wants a stalemate to aid his team’s prospects in the SPFL title race.
He made the comments in the aftermath of Celtic’s 2-1 win over Hibs on Sunday.
All that matters is the points
David Gray’s men suffered their fourth red card in four games when Jamie McGrath inexplicably hit Alistair Johnstone with his studs up above the ankle, around the 20-minute mark.
The hosts grabbed an unlikely equaliser in the dying moments of the first half, but they were always up against it.
Celtic got a second through Kelechi Iheanacho late in the second half, and that was enough to take all three points.
It was an unconvincing performance, despite their one-man advantage for the majority of the game, but all that matters is another three points on the board.
They are now sitting nicely – with momentum – knowing that something has to give on Monday.
I will be watching – Martin O’Neill
When asked what result he wants to see, Martin O’Neill went into detail.
“I will be watching it, I want to see what it’s like.
“Even if we won the rest of the games, we’re not guaranteed to win the league, because if Hearts won all their games, they’ve got a better goal difference than us.
“Today, with Hibs down to 10 men, had we maybe got a second goal before they scored, then it might become a different issue (goal difference), but as it turns out, it was very edgy towards the end.
“So I genuinely don’t know. Maybe a draw. With a draw, at least people drop points.”
Read Rangers analysis
Two games post-split. Two wins for Celtic.
They are in a very good position, somehow.
That’s the reality going into the massive Monday clash at Tynecastle when only a win will do for Rangers.
A quick scan at the league table above shows what is required, and that means doing things the hard way.
Danny Rohl must inspire his men to two victories over the next week, by toppling both title rivals.
Confidence is not high among the Rangers support after last Sunday’s debacle against Motherwell.
If the players can’t produce the goods at Ibrox in such a game, how can they possibly win these crucial back-to-back games?
The time for talking is over – action is required on the pitch.
