Hearts will look to take a massive step towards their first Scottish Premiership title in 66 years as they welcome Falkirk to Tynecastle in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night (kick-off: 8pm).
Derek McInnes’ men saw their lead at the top of the table cut to just one point at the weekend with just two games of the season remaining, as Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 to take full advantage of Hearts’ draw with Motherwell the previous day.
Should Hearts beat Falkirk in their final home game of the season, and Martin O’Neill’s men lose to Motherwell on the same night, they’ll be crowned as champions for the first time since 1960. However, should Celtic avoid defeat at Fir Park, then the title race will go into the final day regardless of Hearts’ result, with the two sides facing each other in the final game of the campaign at Parkhead on Sunday.
As for their visitors, Falkirk, are playing largely for pride after their 3-1 weekend home defeat to Hibs left them six points behind their opponents in fifth with just two games remaining. It means the Bairns would need to win their final two games and hope David Gray’s side loses both of theirs, while also overcoming a 20-goal swing in order to leapfrog them into fifth spot.
Ahead of the game at Tynecastle, The Scotsman has all the early team news:
9. Craig Gordon - Hearts - DOUBT
The veteran goalkeeper has an outside chance of being available for the final two games of the season after returning to training recently. | SNS Group
10. Filip Lissah - Falkirk - DOUBT
Another doubt for Falkirk, the on loan defender could miss the game against Hearts with a knee issue. | SNS Group
11. Leon McCann - Falkirk - DOUBT
Taking off in the first-half of the 3-1 defeat to Hibs at the weekend with a hamstring issue, and is a major doubt for the clash at Tynecastle. | SNS Group
12. Craig Halkett - Hearts - OUT
The Hearts defender has been one of the standout performers this season, but is facing months on the sidelines with a major Achilles injury. | SNS Group