Hearts' win over Celtic at the weekend was more than just a statement of intent, it was a rejection of the narrative that their title challenge had burst. The Edinburgh side's victory saw them re-establish daylight at the summit, albeit with Celtic having a game in hand. The loss will be a significant blow to Wilfried Nancy's first-weekend debut as Celtic manager, one that could leave doubts about his ability to get the most out of the Glasgow giants.
For Hearts, though, this win marks an important step towards regaining confidence and momentum after recent inconsistency. Despite sitting at the top of the table for much of the season, the team had been struggling with form in recent weeks, which led to a rowdy reception from their fans against Kilmarnock on Wednesday. However, manager Derek McInnes insists that his "belief hasn't been affected" by this, and that his team is "well into December now" where they will have a better idea of where they stand.
The question for Hearts now is what happens next? The club has a busy festive schedule ahead, including games against Falkirk, Rangers and Hibernian. Celtic, meanwhile, will be looking to get back on track after Sunday's disappointing defeat. For Nancy, it may prove to be a baptism by fire, but the stage is set for him to prove his worth as the new man in charge.
With McInnes' "we've been disappointed in the last few weeks that we've just been okay," and the Glasgow side's struggles since losing Rodgers, this win could ultimately prove to be a turning point in both teams' seasons. While it may not be a fairytale without a twist, for Hearts, it marks an important step towards reclaiming their position at the top of the table. Can they continue to carry themselves as if they've won and pull clear? Or will Celtic's resurgence prove too much to handle?
Whatever happens next, one thing is certain: this season has been full of twists and turns, and both teams will be eager to capitalize on any momentum gained from this thrilling match at the weekend.
For Hearts, though, this win marks an important step towards regaining confidence and momentum after recent inconsistency. Despite sitting at the top of the table for much of the season, the team had been struggling with form in recent weeks, which led to a rowdy reception from their fans against Kilmarnock on Wednesday. However, manager Derek McInnes insists that his "belief hasn't been affected" by this, and that his team is "well into December now" where they will have a better idea of where they stand.
The question for Hearts now is what happens next? The club has a busy festive schedule ahead, including games against Falkirk, Rangers and Hibernian. Celtic, meanwhile, will be looking to get back on track after Sunday's disappointing defeat. For Nancy, it may prove to be a baptism by fire, but the stage is set for him to prove his worth as the new man in charge.
With McInnes' "we've been disappointed in the last few weeks that we've just been okay," and the Glasgow side's struggles since losing Rodgers, this win could ultimately prove to be a turning point in both teams' seasons. While it may not be a fairytale without a twist, for Hearts, it marks an important step towards reclaiming their position at the top of the table. Can they continue to carry themselves as if they've won and pull clear? Or will Celtic's resurgence prove too much to handle?
Whatever happens next, one thing is certain: this season has been full of twists and turns, and both teams will be eager to capitalize on any momentum gained from this thrilling match at the weekend.
so i think it's crazy that hearts can just sit at the top of the table for most of the season but still struggle with form recently 
like, they must have been feeling the pressure or something? and now wilfried nancy is in charge of celtic... wow what a baptism by fire 
he needs to get those guys back on track ASAP or it'll be tough for him to prove himself
they literally just proved they're still in the game after a string of inconsistent performances. McInnes is saying he's still confident but i think it's time for him to take a hard look at his squad & tactics, cuz this win wasnt exactly a masterclass 
now that Celtic has a game in hand tho, that does kinda change things. nancy gotta step up & show us what hes got, or else im afraid he might get burned 
! Meanwhile, I feel bad for Wilfried Nancy at Celtic tho 
. Losing 2-1 at home is always tough, especially when you're trying to prove yourself in the first week. But hey, that's football, right? Full of twists and turns 
. Can Hearts keep this momentum going? Only time will tell 
!
what a statement win for the Jambos, reclaims daylight at the summit 
️ but still got a game in hand for Celtic 
hope Hearts can keep this momentum going into the new year 
️ think McInnes' "we've just been okay" might be a bit of an understatement tho 
[link to stats analysis](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2024/dec/15/scottish-premier-league-standings)
their win over Celtic was like a refresh button for them, you feel? they were stuck in this inconsistent mess and it's great to see them bounce back with a statement game 
Derek McInnes is all about the positives and that's really refreshing to see from a manager. he's keeping it real and not getting too caught up in the doubts, which is so important right now.
Wilfried Nancy has got his work cut out for him! they've been struggling since Rodgers left and it's going to be tough for them to get back on track. this win by Hearts is like a wake-up call for them, and I'm excited to see how it plays out. it's not just about the next game, it's about the momentum and confidence that comes with winning.
it keeps me on my toes as a fan! can't wait to see what happens next 
I mean, they'd been struggling with form lately, but now they're back on track. It's like a weight's been lifted off their shoulders. And Celtic's loss is a bit of a blow to Wilfried Nancy's debut as manager, but you've gotta expect that kinda thing from new teams.