The Peninsula Times - 'Everybody wants Hearts to win', says Celtic's O'Neill ahead of title decider

Hearts will become the first side in 41 years to end the dominance of Celtic and Rangers if they avoid defeat at Parkhead.

Victory for the Hoops would secure a 14th title in 15 years, but their task would have been much tougher but for a controversial late penalty to beat Motherwell 3-2 on Wednesday.

Without a late winner, Celtic would have needed to win by three goals due to Hearts' superior goal difference.

The decision sparked uproar well beyond the normal confines of Scottish football, with former England striker Gary Lineker branding it arguably the "worst VAR decision" ever.

O'Neill reiterated his belief the spot-kick was correctly awarded for handball by Sam Nicholson, but said he is not surprised by the outcry.

"It's obviously been magnified I think because of the occasion as much as anything else," said the 74-year-old at his pre-match press conference.

"Am I surprised? No, I'm not surprised because everybody wants Hearts to win. It's really simple as that.

"Everybody outside Celtic and the Celtic diaspora wants Hearts to win."

O'Neill has twice taken interim charge during a chaotic season on and off the field for the Scottish champions.

Brendan Rodgers departed in October in acrimonious circumstances after disagreements with the club's board over a lack of investment in the squad.

Wilfried Nancy then lasted just 33 days after losing six of his eight games in charge.

But Celtic have hit form just in time to stay in the title race with six consecutive league wins.

"We've woken up, we're a better side, and now got a bit more confidence about ourselves as well too," added O'Neill.

"I'm really looking forward to it now and why shouldn't we? It's a big, big game naturally. We have to win it, Hearts don't.

"So the advantage is with them in that aspect, but we're going out all guns blazing to try to win."

(R.Williams--TPT)