The Premiership title race is throwing up never-before-seen scenarios that is making Celtic and Rangers supporters feel deeply uncomfortable.
With this unprecedented and dramatic three-way battle for Scotland’s main crown hurtling towards the finish line, traditional allegiances are now being severely tested.
From the perspective of former Celtic striker Tony Watt, pure logic dictates that Martin O’Neill’s side might actually benefit from their bitterest rivals to do them a favour and beat Hearts at Tynecastle on Bank Holiday Monday.
Of course, Celtic need to take care of business against Hibernian on Sunday at Easter Road, but the showdown across Edinburgh 24 hours later presents a massive dilemma for those in green and white.
“If I am the Celtic manager and I have taken care of the game against Hibs,” Watt explained, analysing the crucial league permutations.
“You are sitting on 73 points. You don’t want Hearts to go above you. You want Rangers to win because you are in control. You are totally in control.”
Which result suits Celtic best when Hearts play Rangers?
Would a Rangers win at Hearts be better for Celtic?
Hearts have been leading the charge at the top of the Premiership table for most of the campaign, and they visit Glasgow on the last day of the season, just after Rangers.
By preventing Derek McInnes’ men from picking up maximum points, the Hoops would keep the destiny of the title firmly within their own grasp, rather than relying on slip-ups elsewhere.
That’s why there has also been the debate that a draw would be the best possible result of the lot between Hearts and Rangers.
Either way, Celtic play first once again, and they have the chance to seriously put the pressure on their title rivals.
But for the first time in history, you are probably in a situation where, at the very least, Celtic don’t want their most-hated rivals of all time to lose.
“If I am the Celtic manager and I have taken care of the game against Hibs,” Watt told Clyde 1.
“You are sitting on 73 points. You don’t want Hearts to go above you. You want Rangers to win because you are in control. You are totally in control.
“If you get the result, a draw for Hearts at the end of the season is enough. I think you want to be as close to the top of the league as possible. I think a Rangers win if I am the Celtic manager. That’s what you want.
“Don’t get me wrong, no Celtic fan in the world would be hoping Rangers win.”
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