Seven pundits give Celtic vs Hearts predictions with decisive factor identified

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The Scottish Premiership title will be settled on Saturday afternoon as league leaders Hearts travel to face Celtic . Ahead of this pivotal encounter, pundits remain divided on the outcome.

In what has proved to be a Premiership campaign for the ages, Hearts have staged a courageous and historic title challenge. The last occasion a team other than Rangers or Celtic lifted the Scottish top-flight trophy was in 1985, when Aberdeen secured consecutive championships.

While Rangers' four-match losing run has eliminated them from contention, Martin O'Neill's Bhoys simply need to defeat Derek McInnes's side on the final day to quite literally break hearts following the midweek VAR drama . Pundits have offered their verdicts ahead of one of the most eagerly awaited Scottish football fixtures in recent memory.

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McCoist is a Rangers legend and refused to call a winner between Celtic and Hearts, highlighting that, following the VAR mayhem, McInnes's troops can feel particularly aggrieved. Celtic were handed a hugely contentious 99th-minute penalty for handball against Motherwell, which was tucked away, meaning they are now just a point behind Hearts.

"I'm not so sure [that Celtic have the momentum] to tell you the truth," he told talkSPORT Bet. "I think both Celtic and Hearts have good momentum after some good results. I think obviously Hearts were harshly done by themselves in the last couple of minutes against Motherwell at Fir Park when they should have been given a penalty.

"I think certainly Celtic have got a certain degree of momentum, yes. But I wouldn't say that all the momentum's with them, to be honest with you. I think it's pretty much as we see it, everything to play for."

Boyd told the Scottish Sun: "I don't expect anything else except a Celtic victory on Saturday. If it's a full house at Celtic Park, Hearts have picked up a few injuries to key players."

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While Nevin stopped short of throwing his full support behind Celtic, he explained that the electric atmosphere at Celtic Park will almost certainly hand the home side a crucial advantage. He told the BBC : "Getting rid of the toxicity at Celtic Park has been immense.

"Celtic Park is an incredibly hard place to play when there is that noise and it's back." The former Scotland winger also suggested that Hearts head coach McInnes "must be getting worried about the amount of injuries."

Motherwell star Andy Halliday, who turned out for both Rangers and Hearts, was unable to pick a winner when his former club takes on Celtic on Saturday. He said: "Celtic are on a five-game winning run.

"You talk about mentality and playing your best level at the right time and Celtic have hit theirs now. But Hearts, for 30 weeks in a row now, are just finding ways to win, so it's going to be a very interesting finish."

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Former Hearts man Ryan Stevenson is unsurprisingly throwing his weight behind his old club, insisting the match won't be the walkover some Celtic supporters are expecting. He told the Record: "I've heard some Celtic fans say that Fir Park was going to be their hardest game. 'Once we get Hearts back to Celtic Park, we'll steamroll them.'

"But you've got to remember, these are the same Celtic players that have buckled under pressure before. And they buckled the other night. Without that penalty call, they'd have dropped points at Fir Park. So this will not be the stroll Celtic fans think it will be. If Hearts turn up as they have done all season, they'll come out as champions."

While not strictly a pundit, Hibernian supporter Murray courted controversy earlier this year when he revealed he had previously tipped Hearts to clinch the league title.

Reflecting on his original prediction with the BBC, he said: "A few of my friends who are Hibs fans have questioned me on it. I would say it is quite split between my friends who are Hibs fans, to be honest.

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"I still stand by what I said. If it was going to be Celtic or Rangers that were going to win this league, I don't think you would be asking me that question. I think there is a lot more interest in Scottish football than there has been in quite a long time."

However, when pressed for a title prediction following Celtic's victory over Motherwell, British tennis legend Murray had a change of heart and declared: "I think it is going to be Celtic now."

Former Celtic man Sutton marginally favours his old club, backing the seemingly majority view that playing on home turf will prove the deciding factor. He told Sky Sports : "Celtic have just somehow clung on to it. Under Martin O'Neill, they have just shown the spirit and resilience.

"Now going into the final game, Celtic at home, there's supposed harmony now in there at Celtic Park and that may carry weight. But there could yet be another twist and turn and it'll be absolutely epic on Saturday.