Can recent title wins & momentum get Celtic over the line?

[BBC]

There was plenty of reaction after Hearts' big win at Tynecastle on Monday, but from a Celtic point of view, the result was probably the least best outcome.

Whatever the result, Celtic stood to benefit in some way and we now simply have to crack on with where it all leaves us.

In an ideal world, a draw would have suited best, meaning both of our rivals dropped points. And even a Rangers win might have helped by keeping Hearts alongside us on 73 points.

But there's no point dwelling now on what may have been. And at this stage of the season, all Celtic can do – and all Celtic should do – is try our very best to truly control our own results.

And to their credit that's exactly what Celtic have done in recent weeks .

Five games, five wins. A run that's kept us firmly in the title race, and which has given us some much-needed momentum heading into the final stretch.

And now, everything comes down to this one defining final week of the league season.

And what a week it could be.

First up, it's Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday coming. Then a midweek trip to Fir Park to face Motherwell. And finally, the league campaign closes at home to Hearts in what could be a dramatic final-day showdown.

And with a three-point gap at the top there's still a chance it could come down to goal difference, which would set up an intriguing scenario on the final day.

Needing to overturn a five-goal deficit over Hearts wouldn't be easy, but it wouldn't be impossible either.

However, I have a feeling it won't come down to that.

Hearts, for all their momentum, are not immune to a stumble.

Motherwell - who they face on Saturday - have already taken league points off them twice this season. And Falkirk, who they'll play in their penultimate game, knocked them out of the Scottish Cup (at Tynecastle) not so long ago.

Six points from their next two matches is no guarantee.

There's also a question of mentality. Some of the celebrations after their win over Rangers hinted at a belief that the job may already be done.

But after a 66-year wait for a title, you have to be careful of getting ahead of yourself - and that could prove dangerous. Complacency at this stage may be Hearts' biggest enemy.

From a Celtic perspective however, none of that matters just yet. Our focus can only be centred on Sunday.