Volkswacht Bodensee - Celtic driven by fear of failure in Hearts chase, says O'Neill

The Hoops have won 13 of the last 14 Scottish titles, but go into Sunday's Old Firm derby against Rangers three points adrift of Hearts with three games remaining.

The Jambos are aiming to end a 41-year wait for a side other than the Glasgow duo to be crowned Scottish champions.

But they still have to visit Celtic on the final day of the season.

"It's not a position that the football club has found itself in in recent years. Generally speaking, they've gone clear and there's been no opposition," said O'Neill, 74, who has had two interim spells in charge during a chaotic campaign.

"There's been plenty of opposition this year, not just from Rangers but obviously from Hearts.

"So it is a big, big change, not something that a number of these players have been used to. You have to get used to it. You've been chasing, you have to keep chasing."

Celtic have been handed a boost with the news Daizen Maeda is fit to start after suffering a foot injury towards the end of last weekend's 2-1 win at Hibernian.

That was a fifth consecutive win in all competitions for the defending champions, who have managed to remain on Hearts' coattails despite a series of unconvincing performances.

"We've had moments where we've had to fight through things, but we've seen it through so far," added O'Neill.

"But Sunday is a massive test for us."

Rangers' defeat to Hearts on Monday realistically ended their title challenge as they fell seven points off the top.

J.Marty--VB