McInnes firm in belief that Celtic can be toppled

Hearts can secure their first title since 1960 by beating Falkirk if the champions lose at Motherwell tonight

- Ewan Murray

It is a sign of shifting attitudes that the fact Hearts could claim the Scottish Premiership title tonight was somewhat lost in analysis of the weekend.

Given Celtic’s form such a scenario is an unlikely one, but that it exists at all is remarkable: a Hearts win at home to Falkirk, coupled with defeat for Celtic at Motherwell, means the Edinburgh club will become champions for the first time since 1960.

“It’s nice to be able to hear ‘Hearts could win the league at Tynecastle,’” says their manager, Derek McInnes. “‘I don’t know how many people have been able to say that in their lifetime. The likelihood is we are going to have to win two games or certainly pick up four points.” In a quirk of history, both of Hearts’ titles in the 20th century were secured at St Mirren’s former Love Street ground.

That McInnes pointed towards two matches, the final ones of this season, follows logic. Hearts lead - by a single point - a Celtic team who have won five league games in a row. Since topping the pile in 2012, the Glasgow club have previously been denied the flag only once. The pair meet at Celtic Park on Saturday lunchtime amid an obvious and increasing conviction at Celtic that they can prevail once more.