The race for the Scottish Premiership title is possibly the most exciting across the European leagues this season…
It’s certainly attracting significant media attention from outlets across the continent with major outlets in France, Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands and elsewhere all fascinated by the race to become Scottish Champions which ends this week.
Here’s a flavour of the reporting on that glorious Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park yesterday which takes Celtic to within a point of Hearts with two games to go. Nice to see leading French outlet calling the game the Glasgow Derby so we’ll start with them…
Celtic stunned their arch-rivals Rangers – L’Equipe
“Celtic stunned their arch-rivals Rangers with a 3-1 victory in Glasgow on Sunday, reigniting the Scottish Premiership title race and closing the gap to just one point behind Hearts with two matches remaining. The green and white-clad club, who have won 13 of the last 14 Premiership titles, host current leaders Hearts of Midlothian next Saturday in what looks like a decisive final match for the title.
“In their sun-drenched Celtic Park on Saturday, the Bhoys bounced back from a poor start in the Old Firm (sic) derby against their historic rivals, who opened the scoring after nine minutes. They equalised in the first half and made the difference in the second with a brace from Daizen Maeda within three minutes, including a fantastic overhead kick for the second goal.
“Celtic’s impressive end to the season owes much to the performances of their Japanese winger, who has scored six goals in the last four matches. Hearts’ draw at Motherwell on Saturday could prove costly for the Edinburgh club, last crowned champions in 1960.” L’Equipe (France).
Le Celtic dompte les Rangers dans le derby de Glasgow et relance le suspense pour le titre
➡️ https://t.co/eQ1aepZ4NB pic.twitter.com/jGOVJpQtsB— L’Équipe (@lequipe) May 10, 2026
Maeda’s spectacular overhead kick – Voetbal international
“Celtic had a golden opportunity at home to close the gap to league leaders Hearts to just one point. The surprise from Edinburgh dropped points on Saturday. But the pressure caused some jitters among the home side. Within ten minutes, it was Tottenham Hotspur loanee Mikey Moore who fired Rangers into the lead. Celebrations among the visitors, where former Eagle Oliver Antman started in the starting lineup.
“After the break, Celtic came crashing down. Eight minutes into the second half, Maeda provided a huge relief. The Japanese player gave The Bhoys the lead for the first time by walking in the 2-1 from a Kieran Tierney cross. The highlight of the match would soon follow. Four minutes later, it was Maeda who did it again. With a spectacular overhead kick, he made Celtic Park erupt: 3-1.
“Celtic have two matches remaining this season. On Wednesday, Martin O’Neill’s team visits Motherwell. Saturday will see – most likely – the ultimate showdown in the home game against Hearts. The Premiership leaders also visit Falkirk on Wednesday.” Voetbal international (Netherlands).
The title could be decided next Saturday – A Bola (Portugal)
“The victory, Celtic ‘s fifth consecutive league win, has set the title race on fire. Next Wednesday, the champions travel to Motherwell, while Hearts host Falkirk. The title could be decided next Saturday, on the final matchday, when the top two teams face off in Glasgow.
“For Rangers, the defeat deepened the crisis, marking their third consecutive league loss, something that hadn’t happened since 2000 under Dick Advocaat’s management.
“With this result, Hearts secured a top-two finish, breaking the Old Firm’s dominance, a feat not achieved since Aberdeen , managed by Derek McInnes, accomplished it in consecutive seasons in 2017/18. For Hearts, the possibility of winning their first title since 1960 is very much alive: they need just four points in their matches against Falkirk and Celtic.” A Bola (Portugal).
Celtic Park was a pressure cooker – Marca (Spain)
“All eyes in Scotland were on what was arguably the most important Old Firm (sic) derby in recent memory. The morning started poorly. But Celtic managed to turn the score around, knocking Rangers out of the title race and putting pressure on Hearts — they face each other on the final matchday—who are now just one point ahead after only managing a draw against Motherwell yesterday.
“Celtic Park was a pressure cooker, and while Rangers were trying to recover, the Japanese striker completed his brace less than five minutes later. Tounekti , who had come on at halftime for McCowan, surged down the left flank and delivered another cross into the box. After an initial clearance, Maeda pounced and unleashed a sensational bicycle kick that left Jack Butland rooted to the spot.
“Rangers knew they were mathematically out of the title race and threw everything forward in search of a goal to get them back into the game and, at the very least, hinder their biggest rival’s aspirations. However, they couldn’t find it and sealed their fate. With two games remaining, it’s now a two-horse race between Celtic and Hearts , who, although their situation has become more difficult, still aspire to break four decades of Glasgow dominance in Scotland.” Marca (Spain).
Here are the match highlights from Sky Sports…
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