Celtic admit Hearts helped them amid 'insanity' and quest for magical moment

Winning an Old Firm game is always a memorable moment, but the 3-1 victory meant more. Celtic simply had to win to keep the pressure on Hearts in this gripping Premiership title race. The result also officially eliminated Rangers from the reckoning. Three have become two.

Celtic Park frolicked and feasted on events in front of them. This is the best it has been for the supporters all season. A campaign blighted by poor performances, protests against the board and disunity between fans and the hierarchy, only recently have all at Celtic pulled together. It has coincided with their best run of form.

Since losing to Dundee United in mid-March, Celtic have won every game. Not comprehensively and certainly not easily, but they’ve done it. The return of the Green Brigade has made Celtic Park a livelier, passionate venue. The players have fed off it. One more home match remains ...

Hearts, who lead Celtic by a point, visit on Saturday lunchtime. For that game to be relevant, Celtic really need to beat Motherwell on Wednesday night at Fir Park. The margins are now wafer-thin.

Auston Trusty was part of the Celtic backline that kept Rangers largely at bay. The American centre-half is about to complete his second season in Glasgow and was left in awe of the raucous celebration after beating Rangers.

‘That atmosphere was insane’

“Obviously Champions League nights here are incredible, but that atmosphere was insane,” said Trusty. “It was so insane it really helped us. It’s everything. It’s everything we need. We think we need to do our part, but as an organisation, as a club, everyone’s playing a part - and the fans, definitely, truly played a part in this win. This is the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in.

“It makes a big difference. The big draw with Celtic is the history and the club itself. But, obviously, the fanbase too. Knowing that 60,000 people are going to be cheering you on. Drawing players in but also when you’re actually here playing the games - it’s like ‘wow, this is incredible’. Playing Celtic versus Rangers like this, it’s just incredible.”

Trusty admitted that watching Hearts draw 1-1 at Motherwell on Saturday evening also played its part. “Obviously, you want to say you’re not focusing on other games,” said the defender. “But, they are ahead of us and we have to keep an eye on what they are doing. Yes, the result last night really helped us and maybe that gave us momentum for this. But Celtic versus Rangers, the momentum’s already there.”

And the desire. Celtic captain Callum McGregor - a serial trophy winner - says this would be the most satisfying league title of his career. Now Celtic believe. “I think we’ve always had the mindset that it’s been within our grasp,” added Trusty. “But with the momentum we have now, I would say it can be really magical.

“There are highs and lows in the entire season. But, I think through the lows we’ve stuck together and got even stronger. We don’t want lows, but with it we can take the positives and get even stronger. We’re just continuing our momentum that we’ve built.”

Taking the league to a final-day showdown with Hearts in front of their fans is something Celtic would have shaken hands on a few weeks ago. “But we need to get there,” cautioned Trusty. “We play a game on Wednesday and hopefully we do our thing and set ourselves up for the final game. But we just need to take it game by game.”