All you need to know about Premiership title race

ByThomas DuncanBBC Sport Scotland

Published56 minutes ago

Ten months of toil has come down to four days of drama.

Hearts and Celtic head into their final two games in the Scottish Premiership season separated by just a single point after an epic campaign.

The sides meet each other on the final day in Glasgow, but first they both have tricky fixtures to deal with on Wednesday.

Hearts could still win it before the weekend. Celtic cannot. But what do you need to know about this unexpectedly thrilling climax to the season?

What are Premiership title permutations?

Hearts host Falkirk at Tynecastle on Wednesday, where they are unbeaten in the league this season. At the same time, Celtic travel to face fourth-placed Motherwell.

If Derek McInnes' side win and the reigning champions lose, they would claim the title for the first time since 1960. It would be the first time a non-Old Firm club have done so in 41 years.

That is the only scenario that would prevent it going to the final day at Celtic Park.

Should Hearts win and Celtic draw in midweek, giving the Edinburgh side a three-point lead with at least a four-goal advantage in goal difference, they would be in a strong position, but not over the line.

Celtic cannot win the title before Saturday, even if Hearts lose on Wednesday and they defeat Motherwell.

In that case, O'Neill's side would go into the last match needing to avoid defeat at home to win a 14th title in 15 years.

What happens if Hearts & Celtic are tied?

If Celtic and Hearts end up level on points after Saturday's meeting, the following tie-breakers apply:

Goal difference
Goals scored
Head-to-head record

So if they end up tied on points, goals difference and goals scored, Hearts will win the league due to their superior results against Celtic this season.

A 3-1 win in at Tynecastle in October was followed up by a 2-1 win at Celtic Park and a 2-2 draw in Edinburgh in January.

Will the Premiership trophy be at Tynecastle?

The Premiership trophy, medals and champions board will all be nearby Tynecastle on Wednesday, primed and ready to go if Hearts do, indeed, seal the title.

No doubt the people behind the scenes at Hearts will also have to sort the customary t-shirts and assorted other paraphernalia - just in case.

How big is interest in Hearts' match?

ByBrian McLauchlinBBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Hearts' story this season has been captivating and their success has brought a lot of attention from around the world.

Already this season, TV crews from Portugal, France and Germany have descended on Tynecastle and, with just two matches left to play, the interest continues on what could be an historic week for the club.

The Falkirk game will be shown in the United States, South America, all around Europe, and midfielder Cammy Devlin is sure to have supporters tuning in from his homeland in Australia.

The media team at the club have been knocking back requests for access to this game, with every seat in the house taken in anticipation of history being written.