Former Celtic star Marcelo Saracchi says Hearts underestimated the Bhoys on the final day of last season. The Hoops famously won 3-1 in the do-or-die clash, ensuring they won the Scottish Premiership title.
It was always going to be a fiercely fought encounter given what was at stake. Celtic had fought back over weeks and months to give themselves a chance on the final day, and they couldn't have done it any earlier, even having to win the week of the game to keep their dream alive.
While Hearts had, to their credit, been very consistent all season, and they perhaps should have got the job done before the final day, when all of their hard work would come undone in a 3-1 defeat at Parkhead.
During the game, Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, who has since joined Rangers, squared up to now former Celtic loanee Saracchi, and it was one of a number of flashpoints in the game.
Providing some context to that incident, Saracchi, who has since joined Houston Dynamo, told the Daily Record: "No! No story behind that. It felt like something that was just part of the match, part of the moment and part of the rivalry.
“They came into the game thinking they had it easy. But at the same time, they have to understand that Celtic is a big club with rich history and with a great team. So it was just part of the moment, part of the rivalry.”
Obviously, that is just one side of the story, but it's interesting that Celtic stars went into that game believing they were being underestimated by Hearts. It's not often Celtic can say that about opponents from Scotland, given they are typically the dominant force in the league.
But Hearts had largely been a better team during last season, and in big games like that, you have to find that extra motivation, and even if it is not necessarily true, if a manager can convince you of it and it sufficiently winds you up, then it doesn't matter how true it is.
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