Black Shirts, White Flag as Rangers Rohl over as Celtic cut Hearts lead to just one

The Union Bears came dressed for a funeral and their team duly obliged as their slim chances of winning the title were ended, as Celtic ran out 3-1 winners to go one point behind Hearts.

The 3–1 victory over Rangers at Celtic Park was not a performance for the ages, nor was it a statement of complete dominance. It was something far more familiar under Martin O’Neill this season - controlled, resilient, and ultimately decisive when it mattered most. In a campaign that has twisted and turned beyond expectation, Celtic once again found a way to apply maximum pressure at exactly the right time.

For Rangers, this was the day their already faint title hopes finally expired. They arrived in the east end with the occasion framed as an opportunity to end Celtic’s chances of winning the title. Instead, they left having confirmed what has felt inevitable for weeks, this is not a team capable of matching Celtic when it truly matters.

There was a certain symbolism in how it unfolded. Amid the noise and choreography, and the presence of the Union Bears [despite Celtic imposing a ban on them], Rangers delivered a performance devoid of authority. They did not collapse spectacularly; they simply faded, unable to impose themselves on a game that demanded personality and conviction.

For James Tavernier, it was a fitting final Glasgow derby. After 11 years at Ibrox, his tenure will divide opinion for years to come. Trophies have been scarce relative to the expectations of his role, and while his individual numbers often drew praise, the broader context is unavoidable. Captains at Rangers are measured by silverware; by that standard, his era falls short significantly. That he exits the derby stage not with a defining moment, but as part of another decisive defeat to the chorus of Celtic fans cheering and waving him off the pitch, feels entirely in keeping with the story of his captaincy.

Celtic, on the other hand, continue to evolve in real time. This was not their slickest display. There were periods where the game drifted, where control wavered, and where Rangers were allowed to linger longer than they should have. But crucially, Celtic carry a fight and a desire that has re-emerged under Martin O’Neill and at the right time.

Daizen Maeda embodies that resurgence. With speculation surrounding his future growing, the Japanese forward has delivered when Celtic needed him most. His overhead kick to seal the victory was not just a moment of technical brilliance - it was a reminder of the unpredictable, match-winning quality he brings. In tight title races, those moments define outcomes.

And make no mistake, this is now Celtic’s title race to lose. Two games remain. The gap is a single point. Hearts, under Derek McInnes, still hold control on paper, but the psychological landscape has shifted dramatically after this weekend. Celtic have momentum, belief, and the experience of navigating these pressure moments. Hearts, by contrast, must now prove they can withstand the pressure while their sphincters-twitch uncontrollably, with memories of Albert Kidd and 1986 haunting them 40 years on.

That looming final day at Celtic Park hangs over everything. It carries both promise and peril. The prospect of Celtic sealing the title in front of their own supporters is tantalising; the alternative, allowing Hearts to celebrate on that same turf, is unthinkable.

What makes this season so compelling is precisely that tension. Celtic looked out of it in February - in fact, I wrote them off. The narrative then was one of inconsistency, missed opportunities, and a team falling short. Yet here they are, two matches from the finish line, having dragged themselves back into contention through persistence rather than perfection.

Martin O’Neill deserves immense credit for that. He has not produced a flawless Celtic side, but he has built one that refuses to disappear. Again and again, when the stakes have risen, Celtic have responded.

Sunday was another example. Not a classic, but significant all the same. Because in title races, it is not always about how you play. It is about when you win.