If the Hoops win their final Scottish Premiership pre-split game, the title will be theirs if Motherwell win their Sunday game.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon, speaking ahead of what could prove to be a crucial weekend in the Scottish Premiership, has stressed that he knows what is at stake over the coming 48 hours in the title race.
The treble-treble chasers could be crowned Scottish top flight champions for the eight consecutive season as early as this weekend, boasting a 13-point lead over second-placed Rangers with just six games left.
Both Glasgow sides won their respective fixtures on Wednesday night – Celtic at St Mirren and Gers over Hearts – days after the Bhoys ran out 2-1 winners over the Light Blues at Parkhead in a fiery Old Firm derby.
Providing Celtic win their final Scottish Premiership pre-split game – at home to Livingston on Saturday – then the championship will be theirs if Steven Gerrard’s charges lose at Motherwell on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of the game against Gary Holt’s side at Parkhead, Lennon stressed the opposition – ninth in the table – would not be taken lightly, describing them as a very good, “big strong” team that can give anyone a “bloody nose”.
Talking about the permutations of the weekend’s action, he is quoted by the official Celtic website as saying: “We know what’s at stake. We need two wins to win the league. If we do that, then I’ll be watching the (Motherwell) game somewhere for sure.
“I’d love to win it anywhere. If it’s the first game after the split, then so be it. It wouldn’t be the first time and it wouldn’t be the last time, but we’re getting way ahead of ourselves. My focus is on (Saturday). If we win… then we take it from there.”
Celtic beating Livingston would take Lennon’s side to 79 points with five games left, meaning Rangers would need a draw at Fir Park to reach 64 points and delay what appears to be the inevitable until after the league splits.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
