Neil Doncaster holds Premiership title race hopes amid Hearts glory quest as he pictures helicopter scenario
The SPFL chief executive has weighed in on how the title race could pan out.
Neil Doncaster reckons a final day shootout would be a perfect way for this Premiership season to end - as Hearts look to seal a historic title.
Nobody outside of Glasgow has won the Scottish top flight since the 1980s but Derek McInnes’ Jambos are hoping to be the team that breaks the mould. They hold a six-point lead over Celtic and Rangers heading into a crucial clash with the Hoops this weekend at Tynecastle, having already defeated the current champions twice.
Celtic have been the dominant force in Scottish football across the 2010s and 2020s so far with Rangers winning a sole title in 2021, and final day drama has turned a rarity at the top end of the league. Doncaster says this season’s scenario where Hearts, Rangers and Celtic are jostling for first, with Motherwell and Hibs still in the rear view mirror, is something that’s been long awaited. He can see a situation where he’s in a helicopter on matchday 38.
Neil Doncaster on premiership title race
He told Sky Sports: "It's exciting, we've waited a very long time for this, and it is fantastic to see it working out in front of our eyes. All of it helps in terms of driving interest in our game, driving attendances, and economically as well.
“We're very pleased with the way the league is shaping up. It is a bit different, and we're delighted to see the coverage on Sky Sports this year, and to see so many games in front of full stadia, with something meaningful to play for - perhaps a three or four-way title race. It is fantastic to see.
“We haven't had too many final day deciders in my time up here. Perhaps a final-day decider in front of the Sky Sports cameras would be good to look forward to - I suspect I would be sat in a helicopter! Let’s hope so in some ways, I don’t particularly enjoy them but it would be fantastic if we can achieve it.”
How will Hearts handle injury blows?
The Jambos come into the Celtic game with injuries for Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland to consider after elimination from the Scottish Cup on penalties against Falkirk. Beni Baningime is also suspended as McInnes is left with a midfield dilemma on his hands.
Defender Craig Halkett said ahead of the game: “That’s been another message that the manager said. We’ve got a big squad and everyone knew that we have a big squad from the start of the season. So everyone’s always going to get their chance to play their part. It’s just so important that the boys do that now. It’s going to be massive I think. We’ve been quite fortunate as a group to not really have picked up many injuries throughout the season.
“I think you all know over the course of the season, 38 games, you’re always going to pick up some. It’s unfortunate that Cammy picked up his injury last week. Like I said, there are going to be more along the way. So it’s all about the whole squad chipping in. We’ve got a big squad and everyone’s raring to play. For the boys that come in, I think they’ve shown in the last few games that they can step up and be counted. That’s going to be massive going forward.