Why Hearts v Rangers is sure to provide goosebumps as Celtic and the world watch on with interest

Hearts go into the match top of the Premiership table on goal difference ahead of Celtic, who laid down the gauntlet with their 2-1 victory over 10-man Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday. Rangers, in third, are four points behind.

A victory for Hearts would represent a giant step towards clinching a historic first title in 66 years and becoming the first team outside the Old Firm to be crowned champions since Aberdeen in 1984-85.

A draw would suit Celtic, who would happily see both of their rivals drop two points knowing that they each visit Parkhead over the next fortnight, with Rangers up next weekend before the potential final day decider against Hearts.

For Rangers, defeat would all but end their hopes. An away win, however, would set up a remarkable end to the season where three clubs would be separated by a single point heading into the final three games of the season.

Scottish football is quite unaccustomed to such drama. You have to go back to 1982-83 for the last time we experienced a three-horse title race in this country. It was Dundee United who ended top of the pile on that occasion, finishing one point clear of both Celtic and Aberdeen, who themselves lifted three titles in the 1980s.

McInnes can emulate McLean and Ferguson

Now Derek McInnes will hope to emulate Jim McLean and Alex Ferguson by breaking the cycle of Old Firm dominance. Two titans of the Scottish game, that is the legendary standing that awaits McInnes if he can lead Hearts to the title.

Tynecastle has been a fortress for his side this season. A venue where Hearts remain undefeated in the league, taking 43 points from a possible 51, with Rangers and Celtic both falling to defeat on Gorgie.

The home club have dubbed the day of the game Maroon Monday with a message posted on social media asking all supporters to bring their scarf for a "pre-match twirly" as the players emerge from the tunnel.

Colin Chisholm, the voice behind the 1986 version of club anthem, The Hearts Song, will also be back pitchside to perform the track as the teams enter the field, as he did for the recent wins over Aberdeen and Motherwell to much acclaim.

The atmosphere inside the stadium is sure to bring out the goosebumps. The eyes of not only Scotland but the wider world will be watching on. The New York Times, the biggest newspaper in the US, carried a piece this weekend highlighting "Scotland’s remarkable three-way title race".

While a Monday 5.30pm kick-off may not be to everyone's taste, the game has been given a prime-time slot on Sky Sports sandwiched between two Premier League matches. Everyone will be watching, including Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, who will be plotting his own route to the title that would be quite a story in its own right given the turmoil Hoops supporters have endured this season.

Hearts will hope to draw upon the energy from the stands that has been the power source for their imperious home form. Rangers will need to show that they have the mettle to handle such an occasion having let their bottle slip - as has been customary in recent years - in a 3-2 defeat by Motherwell at Ibrox last weekend.

That Rangers are involved in the title race at all is to Danny Rohl's credit. He inherited a side that was low on confidence, eighth in the table and 11 points behind leaders Hearts in October. But it will be held against the German if Rangers - having got themselves into a position where they were title favourites with the bookies and the Opta supercomputer - end up finishing third.

Their hopes will likely rest on how they perform in defence. Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland and strike partner Claudio Braga have 27 league goals between them this season and will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a Rangers rearguard that has conceded eight times in their last three games.

Scoring has not been a problem for Rangers. Sixteen goals across four games would suggest if they keep the back door shut they could be the first team this season to leave Tynecastle with three points, although the league’s strongest defence is unlikely to give anything away cheaply.

Let's see who holds their nerve.

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