Arsenal legend backs Hearts for 'absolute humdinger' in title race as Jambos alter SPFL reality
A Manchester City icon is also enjoying the Jambos breaking the Celtic and Rangers mold
Hearts flipping the switch on Scottish Football is ‘refreshing’ to see according to Arsenal legend Lee Dixon, who believes the Jambos have given the game a new lease of life north of the border.
The dominance of Derek McInnes’ side has brought in an entirely different audience for the Scottish game this season including the former England international. Hearts are now just four games from glory and sit two points clear ahead of Celtic and four ahead of Rangers going into the home straight. Dixon knows one or two things about how to get over the line in a race to the finish himself, having won four top flight titles in his 15 years at Highbury.
Dixon’s thoughts on Hearts have been echoed by former Man City striker and Scotland international Paul Dickov, who thinks this season is destined to go ‘down to the wire’. The Jambos won 2-1 in their first of five post-split cup finals against Hibs at Easter Road last weekend and are now gearing up to host one of their title rivals Rangers on Monday. They will then face Motherwell away and Falkirk at home before their grand finale at Parkhead against Celtic on May 16.
Hearts building up league run-in to be a ‘humdinger’
Dixon admitted that he is not a hugely avid watcher of the Scottish game and only really pays attention to Old Firm derbies - but now with Hearts showing up the big two, he believes it can only be good for the game. He told Boyle Sports: “When the Old Firm play in Scotland I try to watch that because it's blood and thunder and the heartbeat of Scottish football.
“But how refreshing that we've got another team in Hearts that had the audacity to put their head above the parapet and go, ‘What about us?’ It's building up to be an absolute humdinger. There's a lot of debate about Celtic's games and whatnot. I heard Ally McCoist moaning about it the other day, saying it wouldn't have happened the other way round and all this stuff. But it's great. It's great for the game up there.”
The post-split fixtures have caused a hint of controversy with Celtic being accused of being awarded the more favourable run-in. However, the fact remains if Hearts win all of their games, they will be crowned champions and as they face second-placed Celtic last, that could be the match that decides it. Dickov thinks it’ll be ‘incredible’ if the league goes down to the final day and also fancies Hearts’ chances given their head-to-head record against the Old Firm.
Dickov on Hearts title chances
Hearts have already beaten Rangers and Celtic twice this season . Livingston-born Dickov would love to see Hearts ‘throw a spanner in the works’. He told Mr Q: “It’s great how well Hearts are doing, isn’t it? Derek McInnes has done an absolutely wonderful job there, and I think that things are going to go right down to the wire.
“I don’t see why Hearts don’t go on and win it from here. With the split, it means that are obviously some more big games to come when Hearts, Rangers and Celtic play each other. Hearts have shown this season that their record against the Old Firm has been very decent this season. There’s no reason why they can’t get results against both Rangers and Celtic, and go on to win it, but it’s going to be exciting either way.
“That last game, where it’s Hearts against Celtic at Celtic Park. It’s going to be incredible if the title race goes down to that one game. For so many years, Rangers and Celtic have dominated everything. We’ve always said that we needed the Old Firm to be closer together to go head-to-head for titles, but now to see Hearts throwing a spanner in the works with what they’ve done, I think it’s great for Scottish football.”