From the opening moments of a chaotic evening that pushed Scottish football's drama dial to the max, hints emerged of yet another gripping installment in the Hearts-Celtic championship saga.

Whenever cameras swept over Tynecastle's stands, fans appeared distraught - some weeping, others grimacing, many clutching their heads in agony.

For a thrilling 12 minutes in the first half, Hearts tasted Scottish glory, leading 2-0 over Falkirk while Celtic trailed 1-0 at Motherwell. The dream scenario unfolded right before them.

Reality soon intruded, as expected, yet that fleeting moment offered a seductive preview of potential triumph, a dream all supporters desperately crave.

Now, a decisive finale awaits at Celtic Park on Saturday - a head-to-head battle between table-toppers Hearts and pursuing Celtic. Victory or draw for Derek McInnes's side seals the title.

Discard prior assumptions about Scottish football, for Hearts could rewrite history by storming the intense atmosphere of Glasgow's east end against Martin O'Neill, his squad, and nearly 60,000 roaring fans.

O'Neill plans a imminent exit from Celtic - with zero indication of a subdued departure.

Hearts' perch at the summit with just 90 minutes remaining defies logic, especially given their budget pales beside Celtic's vast resources, despite leading longest this term.

A monumental upset or crushing letdown looms for them - yet regardless, the season's finale promises equal or greater turmoil, turmoil, and bitterness than Wednesday's near-final night.

For Hearts and Celtic supporters alike, the night was a rollercoaster of highs and lows - monumental, fiercely debated, electric until the final seconds. Enough to stir the spirits of the past.

Fir Park's Celtic-Motherwell clash brimmed with its own tension. Motherwell eyed a penalty, denied; Celtic sought one, rejected. Both rulings seemed woefully off.

The action swung wildly. Daizen Maeda leveled for Celtic, shrinking Hearts' lead from four to three points. Celtic now required a 3-0 Saturday triumph to snatch the crown on goal difference.

Stats check: No side has thrashed Hearts by three goals in league play this year. Last to do so? Celtic. Before them? Celtic. And prior? Celtic once more.

Benjamin Nygren's strike made it 2-1 Celtic, shifting dynamics. A home win would reclaim their championship.

Hearts fans grasped little of Lanarkshire's unfolding saga. Motherwell pressed hard, circulating possession sharply, pulling Celtic apart, endangering their advantage.

With five minutes left, Motherwell dominated. Blocked effort, diving save, rebound goal. Tynecastle erupted as if Hearts had netted themselves.

Status quo restored. Celtic again needed a three-goal margin. Hearts extended to 3-0 via Blair Spittal - composed, ruthless, unshaken. Maroon fortunes soared.

Not quite. Stoppage-time penalty ignited mayhem. Deep into extra minutes, Motherwell's Sam Nicholson leaped with arm aloft over Auston Trusty.

Then, the nightmare vision for Hearts followers - referee John Beaton halting abruptly, finger to ear. VAR intervention.

Beaton's trek to the screen and emphatic spot-pointing stunned, considering the minimal foul evidence. A Motherwell supporter's radio quip: "The game's done."

The Scottish FA may strain to justify it - apparent header clearance ruled handball - but awarded and scored it was, leaving most incredulous.

This call could sway the title's fate. Debates will linger for years.

Stunned Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou insisted no referee elsewhere would grant it. It docked his points; fury ensued.

Fuming McInnes branded it "disgusting," sensing a conspiracy: "We're up against everybody." Hearts' cost could dwarf Motherwell's.

Social media exploded. Gary Lineker, tuned in, was baffled. He had plenty company.

Second major Hearts penalty snub in a week - denied late at Motherwell Saturday; one point might've been three. McInnes urged a bunker mindset against unnamed foes.

Post-match, O'Neill hailed his team's grit and comeback prowess, qualities poised to defend their crown. Lacking flair, they boast heart and drive. Saturday looms as potential epic.

McInnes aimed for calm but vented on perceived injustices. Proud yet outraged.

"Am I missing something?" he queried on the non-foul penalty. His bewilderment shone through.

Ten months questioning Hearts' endurance yield a verdict: no collapse, defying Glasgow giants' forecasts. Pressure unbowed them.

After 37 matches, they reign supreme.

Captain Lawrence Shankland likely raged over Fir Park's finale but publicly fixated on the prize.

"It's a 90-minute cup final," he declared, noting Hearts' double over Celtic this season. "We'd snap up this spot preseason."

Amid the night's disarray, that truth rang absolute. Hearts hold the keys. Thirty-seven games down, one grueling test remains - versus fiercest rival on their turf.

This clash could etch them in legend or align them with Hearts' 1986 and 1965 near-misses. Valiant bridesmaids.

Celtic awaits. Their fans will quake the stands. Poetically, it culminates here - grandest arena for utmost stakes.