Just as Sky and the SPFL surely hoped when the post-split fixtures were announced, it all comes down to the final day. Kelechi Ịheanachọ's 99th minute penalty to snatch victory over Motherwell at Fir Park, that was not at all contentious or controversial, means the gap between the top two is now only one point.
Thus, a Celtic victory and they will be champions for the 56th time, a new Scottish record, while a draw or indeed a Hearts victory will see them win the title for the first time since 1960. It is not eery year that the title race comes down to the final day, so let's look back at occasions when this has happened.
Scottish Premiership final day title races (1980-present)
2010/11 season
- Going into the final day: Rangers 90 points. Celtic 89 points.
- Results: Kilmarnock 1-5 Rangers & Celtic 4-0 Motherwell - Rangers won the title.
2008/09 season
- Going into the final day: Rangers 83 points. Celtic 81 points.
- Results: Dundee United 0-3 Rangers & Celtic 0-0 Hearts - Rangers won the title.
2007/08 season
- Going into the final day: Celtic 86 points (+57GD). Rangers 86 points (+53GD).
- Results: Dundee United 0-1 Celtic & Aberdeen 2-0 Rangers - Celtic won the title.
2004/05 season - Helicopter Sunday
- Going into the final day: Celtic 92 points. Rangers 90 points.
- Results: Motherwell 2-1 Celtic & Hibernian 0-1 Rangers - Rangers won the title.
2002/03 season
- Going into the final day: Rangers 94 points (+68GD). Celtic 94 points (+68GD).
- Results: Kilmarnock 0-4 Celtic & Rangers 6-1 Dunfermline - Rangers won the title on GD.
1997/98 season
- Going into the final day: Celtic 72 points. Rangers 69 points.
- Results: Celtic 2-0 St Johnstone & Dundee United 1-2 Rangers - Celtic won the title.
1990/91 season
- Going into the final day: Rangers 53 points. Aberdeen 53 points.
- Result: Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen - Rangers won the title.
1985/86 season
- Going into the final day: Hearts 50 points. Celtic 48 points.
- Results: Dundee 2-0 Hearts & St Mirren 0-5 Celtic - Celtic won the title on goal difference.
1982/83 season
- Going into the final day: Dundee United 54 points. Celtic 53 points. Aberdeen 53 points.
- Results: Dundee 1-2 Dundee UTD, Aberdeen 5-0 Hibs & Rangers 2-4 Celtic - Dundee United won the title.
1981/82 season
- Going into the final day: Celtic 53 points. Aberdeen 51 points.
- Results: Celtic 3-0 St Mirren & Aberdeen 4-0 Rangers - Celtic won the title.
Since 1980, the Scottish Premiership title has been decided on the final day on ten occasions. In 1983, there were three teams still in contention to be champions ahead of the last day, but all three won, with Jim McLean's Dundee United clinching their one and only title with a derby win at Dens.
Three years later produced one of the most dramatic, this the last time it was Celtic and Hearts going up against one-another. The Jambos kicked off top of the table, but were catastrophically beaten 2-0 by Dundee at Dens, thanks to a pair of late goals by substitute Albert Kidd. Simultaneously, the Celts hammered St Mirren 5-0 at Love Street, so won the title on goal difference, +29 to +26. Just like this season, Heart of Midlothian require only a draw to pip Celtic to the trophy, so will there be the same outcome?
It is far from only happy memories for Celtic fans on the last day. On Helicopter Sunday 21 years ago, they kicked off above Rangers, but were beaten by Motherwell, meaning the Gers snatched top spot at the last by beating Hibs. Two years earlier, it had been a straight shootout between Glasgow's big two who finished level on points. Rangers snatched the title by a solitary goal via goal difference, thanks to a stoppage time penalty by Mikel Arteta against Dunfermline.
Saturday will be the first time since 1991 that the top two have gone head-to-head on the final day with the trophy on the line. That days, similar to this weekend, Aberdeen needed just a draw at Ibrox, while Rangers had to win, with Mark Hateley's double seeing the Light Blues do just that.
Thus, despite the fact a draw would suffice for Derek McInnes' side, Celtic are now firm favourites to get the job done, given their title winning expirence and the fact they boast home advantage. So, we could be in for a repeat of '86, or at least that's what 60,000 supporters bedecked in green and white will be hoping, less so the 900 in maroon.
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