GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) – Daizen Maeda’s stunning overhead kick sparked a comeback for Celtic with a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Rangers as Hearts remained hot in the thrilling Scottish Premiership title race on Sunday.
Second-placed Celtic now have a one-point lead over Hearts with two games remaining, while Rangers have fallen out of the championship race and are certain to finish in third place.
In a typically frenetic Old Firm derby, Rangers came close to chasing after Mikey Moore’s ninth-minute opener, but Celtic equalized in the 23rd minute with a goal from South Korean winger Yang Hyun-jun, before Maeda converted a second-half double. In the 57th minute, the Japanese forward’s second was a looping overhead kick that fell under the crossbar.
The next edition of the intergenerational title race will be held on Wednesday. Hearts, who haven’t won the Scottish League for 66 years, are expected to beat sixth-placed Falkirk, while Celtic will have a test trip to fourth-placed Motherwell, who held Hearts to a draw on Saturday.
If there’s still a title left next Saturday, it’s expected to be a sensational final day as Celtic host Hearts in a final round penalty shootout.
Celtic have won 13 of the last 14 league titles, with the rest going to Rangers.
No team other than Celtic or Rangers has been Scottish champions since 1985, when Aberdeen were champions under Alex Ferguson.
Worry about heart injury
Hearts do not have as deep a squad as Celtic and have suffered some significant injuries towards the end of the season.
Mark Leonard and Craig Halkett will miss the final game against Motherwell with what Hearts manager Derek McInnes said were “really bad” and “unusual” injuries.
Halkett had a chance to return to the Scotland squad world cup First time since 1998.
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