Hearts strengthened their Scottish Premiership title credentials with an emphatic 3-1 victory over champions Celtic on Sunday afternoon. An own goal from defender Dane Murray and strikes from forwards Alexandros Kyziridis and Lawrence Shankland helped Derek McInnes’ side record a statement victory which has sent shockwaves across Scottish football.

Hearts fans in dreamland thanks to goals from Kyziridis and Shankland

After making a flying start to the 2025-26 season, Hearts went into the game against Celtic knowing a win would show they had to be taken seriously in the title race. And after Murray’s own goal was cancelled out by a lovely strike from Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor, Hearts soon raced to victory thanks to second-half efforts from Kyziridis and Shankland, leaving the home supporters dreaming of what might be come the end of the season.

AdvertisementHulton ArchiveFerguson's Aberdeen were the last non-Old Firm club to win the league

While it remains too early to tell if Hearts truly have a strong chance of winning their first league title since 1960, their triumph over Celtic has captured the imagination of neutral football fans right across Scotland. The last team to win the Scottish league title – other than old firm duo Celtic and Rangers – was Aberdeen in 1985. The Dons, then managed by legendary former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, pipped second-placed Celtic to the title by seven points that year, with Rangers finishing fourth and 21 points adrift. Aberdeen’s victory in 1985 was all the more remarkable because it was their second consecutive title under Ferguson, having also won the league in 1984.

Former Man Utd boss guided Aberdeen to unprecedented success

In an eight-year spell in charge, Ferguson led Aberdeen to unprecedented success in what was a golden period in their history. The Pittodrie club won 10 major honours under Ferguson, including another league title in 1980, as well as the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup. Aberdeen defeated Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid 2-1 in the final in Sweden, with John Hewitt scoring the winner in extra time. Ferguson’s men later downed then-European champions Hamburg 2-0 to win the Super Cup in 1983.

Getty Images SportHearts boss McInnes keeping calm in wake of momentous Celtic win

However, while early comparisons are being drawn with Ferguson’s famous Aberdeen side, Hearts manager McInnes is keeping his feet firmly on the ground following the win over Celtic.

Speaking to after the game, McInnes said: "We take the three points and we stick them in the pocket and we're pleased with that. But I think in terms of belief and confidence, I think it does us no harm.

"I don't think it's a statement win. It might be for others on the outside looking in. It might change opinions. It might validate opinions that there's a tightrope.

"I genuinely think that, and I'll stick to it, the fact that once you go round a couple of round of fixtures, I think it's far more sensible to have any real assumption of where teams are going to be.

"But let's not kid ourselves, we're really pleased with what the lads they've given us.

"I thought it was a strong performance we needed to be. I thought it was a polished performance, we needed to have a wee bit of polish on it.

"Technically, we look in a good place, and certainly physically we look in a good place, so long may that continue."