This is pretty rare for Scottish football.
Heading into the crunch months of the season, Celtic are battling with Hearts and Rangers for Scotland’s main crown.
In recent years, Celtic have been standing alone, winning trophy after trophy, and getting disappointed at missing out on Trebles.
But Celtic’s defence of the title is on the line, as Ally McCoist has shared some interesting thoughts on how those from Hearts are currently viewing things.
Will we hunt Hearts down and win the title?
Ally McCoist on the feeling from Hearts about title battle with Celtic and Rangers
Hearts lead third-placed Celtic by six points, after their draw at the weekend, and they are four points ahead of second-placed Rangers, who beat Dundee.
Speaking on talkSPORT, McCoist shared that the ‘train of thought coming out of the Hearts camp’ is that they think the title battle will be between Rangers and Hearts.
“There is a train of thought coming out of the Hearts camp, believe it or not,” said McCoist.
“I have spoken to a lot of the Hearts lads after it. Ex-players, and I value their opinion. Great players and good football men, who reckon, from what they have seen recently, that it will be between Hearts and Rangers. I am not so sure.
“Celtic have gone from a very good performance in Italy against Bologna. Trusty, funnily enough, I thought was excellent, and they lost another man again, getting sent off.
“They have gone from that back to the domestic situation, where, all of a sudden, teams, and we have seen it with Manchester City. They don’t have the same fear. I am not saying they don’t have the respect. Of course, they have the respect. They don’t carry the fear factor. That’s what Celtic are right now.”
What is the biggest difference you’ve noticed from Martin O’Neill’s style as Celtic manager?
McCoist reacts to Celtic being ‘favourites’ to win the Premiership title
Let’s be honest, Celtic have been nowhere near their best this season. Brendan Rodgers started the campaign pretty poorly, and then, he was booted out after off-field issues.
The Wilfried Nancy era was a nightmare, and it dragged the Hoops down even further. But Celtic are still in this fight.
Even sitting in third place, the champions of Scotland are ‘favourites’ with the bookmakers, as McCoist explained why.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” said McCoist on Celtic being favourites. “What the bookies would be doing. They will be taking into account recent history.
“Rightfully or wrongly, that’s what they will do. Recent history will tell you that Celtic have been there before. They know how to do it. They have a manager who compounds that. He has been there before and knows how to do it.”
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