Image source, SNS
Image caption: Lawrence Shankland has delivered for Hearts in key moments
For fans, the final stretch of a title race is pure anxiety. With Hearts and Celtic heading into the second-last round of the Scottish Premiership separated by just one point at the top, supporters are gripped by tension rather than enjoyment as they brace for either football ecstasy or heartbreak.
But what about the players at the heart of the drama? They are the ones performing under intense scrutiny and pressure. BBC Sport Scotland spoke to former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea and ex-Hearts and Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday about the experience of being in the spotlight.
**How players cope with nerves and keep an eye on rivals**
Managers and players often tell the media it’s one game at a time and that focus remains solely on their own performances. However, O’Dea says that changes in the final few fixtures. “You would definitely be looking at other results a lot more than normal,” said the Irishman, who was part of the Celtic squad that won the title on the final day in 2008. “The reality is you do concentrate on what other teams are doing. This season has shown how quickly things can flip. What you might need in terms of results changes.”
Halliday agrees that players always have one eye on other games, but nerves are ultimately a positive. “There’s no margin for error, so you always want to do the basics extremely well. You don’t want to give up easy chances or goals. Nerves show you care about football. The real worry is if you don’t feel them. What settles nerves is good preparation. If you go into a game with a clear plan and clear instructions on what’s expected, that calms you.”
**Key players stepping up in pressure moments**
For Hearts and Celtic, key men have risen to the occasion in recent weeks. Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has scored six times in his last seven starts, including an equaliser against Motherwell and a winner against Rangers. For Celtic, Daizen Maeda netted two crucial goals in the Old Firm derby, taking his tally to five in three post-split matches.
As a centre-back, O’Dea says he always looked to the most talented players to drag the team through. Not everyone thrives under pressure. “Genuinely, you would rely on certain players. Big players win you championships. That’s how I define a big player – they turn up in big moments. The players I looked at were [Shunsuke] Nakamura, who always had a free kick in his locker even if he’d had a quiet game. There was also Scott McDonald, Aidan McGeady – whoever it was. The rest of us are just trying not to lose the game. That’s the reality – you hope those guys can produce the goods.”
**Consistency from the dugout**
With experienced managers Martin O’Neill (Celtic) and Derek McInnes (Hearts) preparing their teams for a tense finish, Halliday believes neither will – nor should – change their demeanour or strategy. “Modern footballers need every bit of information possible, so try to give them that without any grey areas. If that happens, players can hold each other accountable. But for me, it’s always about the manager staying consistent.”
