Things are getting interesting at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
It’s not what Celtic fans want to hear because they were expected to secure title number 56 this season, but now they have a fight on their hands against an unfamiliar opponent.
Yes, it’s still early days, but things were taken to another level on Sunday when Hearts beat Celtic at Tynecastle to move eight points clear at the top of the Premiership table.
Many are asking if Hearts, who haven’t won Scottish football’s main crown since 1960, can do the unthinkable and dethrone the champions of Scotland?!
Will Hearts win the Premiership title ahead of Celtic?
It needs to be taken into account that Aberdeen made a flying start last season, only to fall flat on their face and not even finish in the top four.
But Ally McCoist told talkSPORT that this ‘smells different’, as he noted two key men for Hearts – the manager Derek McInnes, and new investor, Tony Bloom.
When the former Scotland striker was asked about whether Hearts could win the title, McCoist pondered for a small while before stating ‘yes’, and then screaming, ‘what have I done?’
“I do smell something different,” said McCoist. “I do. I smell something different. They have two men in charge (McInnes and Tony Bloom), who know their way about.
“Tony Bloom certainly knows his way about. That’s for sure. And there is nobody better in Scottish football than Derek. Supporters should get carried away. They are allowed to dream. That was a performance that did nothing, other than say, ‘You know what, we might be here to stay.'”
Jeff Stelling: “Very briefly, Ally. Will Hearts win the league?”
McCoist, after puffing his cheeks: “Yes. Oh, what have I done?! I have got to get back up the road. Oh, what have I done, Jeff?!”
Would Hearts winning the title be good for Scottish football?
The last time a team outside of Glasgow was crowned champions of Scotland was 1985, when Aberdeen were victorious under Alex Ferguson.
When McCoist took his biased glasses off, he admitted that, for the whole of Scottish football, it would be a great look if Hearts were crowned champions.
Would Hearts winning the title be a good thing? “Yeah, yeah,” said McCoist after pondering for a short while. “I mean, clearly, I am a Rangers man and I want Rangers to win the title. That goes without saying.
“However, I think you make a valid point. I would suggest to you, right at the top of my head, when was the last time? Was it ’85? Aberdeen. Dundee United won it in ’83. That’s right (Hearts haven’t won the title since 1960), and they should have won it in ’86.
“Yes, it’s brilliantly refreshing. Certainly, for the neutral. It would have to be a good thing for Scottish football.
“But you need to balance it out. Would it be a good thing for Scottish football? Yes. What’s going to take for it to happen? They are going to have to continue the remarkable run they are on. They will probably have to strengthen in the January window.
“And, most importantly, they will have to continue enjoying the demise of Rangers and Celtic, which isn’t good for Scottish football. It’s a bit of a contradiction.”
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