HARTLEY: SAY BUY BYE TO TITLE RACE

Celts bid may end in Gorgie

- BY CRAIG SWAN

PAUL HARTLEY reckons there might be no way back for Celtic if Hearts strike a potentially fatal blow in the title race on Sunday.

The former Scotland midfielder starred for both clubs during his playing days and has watched intently as the most thrilling flag chase in years takes twists and turns with every passing week.

With 22 out of 38 Premiership fixtures completed, the table-topping Jambos sit six points ahead of both Celtic and Rangers.

A home victory at Tynecastle against Martin O'Neill's visitors this weekend would see the Hoops fall nine points adrift - and Hartley feels that might be too big a gap for them to come back from.

O'Neill has managed to eke out wins after returning to clean up Wilfried Nancy's mess, but performances are still stuttering.

Asked if hed fear for Celtic's title hopes if they lost in Gorgie, Hartley replied: “Yeah, I would. The other two are much stronger.

“It would be a big challenge for Celtic to come back from that, they can't (afford to) get beat.

“With Hearts’ form, they've maybe not been at it all the time but they know how to win.

“Hearts are looking strong. You can see their home form - they've not been beaten there in the league this season. They are in the driving seat”

Hartley was part of Gordon Strachan's Celtic side that roared back from eight points down to pip Rangers to the topflight title in 2008, but he can't see a similar momentum shift this season.

He said: “I think we were eight points behind with seven games left but it feels different now at Celtic, the atmosphere's different.

“Celtic have no momentum. Even on Sunday, they should be putting a few past Auchinleck.

“On the flip side, the atmosphere is excellent at Hearts.