Celtic must beat Hearts today to win the SPL for a fourth successive year but allied to that they must also hope that Dundee United can at least hold the Huns to a draw. Scott McDonald is hoping that the city of Dundee can produce a Celtic title as it did back in the 1986 campaign when a Dundee victory over Hearts, courtesy of two goals from Albert Kidd, allied to Celtic's 5-0 win over St Mirren at Love Street saw the Celts crowned champions. But of course Skippy has more vivid memories of 2005. 
"Back in 2005 I detected some nerves in the Celtic team in the last 10 or 15 minutes because they were only winning 1-0." he said. "You could sense the mood of the crowd more than anything. It's worse for the fans because they're not in control of the situation and panic every time the other team goes up the park."
"While Celtic were only 1-0 up they knew one goal against them would change it because Rangers were winning at Hibs." he continued. "Of course, I got a couple of goals and the title went to Rangers and I hope I can score more today. We'll see what happens but all we can do is worry about our job. If the games are tight then tension might creep in."
"We saw that with our own game against Dundee United recently. We were leading 2-0 but as soon as they scored it was panic stations." said Celtic's number seven. "The crowd started to get restless and that affected the players although we held out to win 2-1. I'd settle for a nice relaxed mood at Parkhead today with a lot of support and plenty volume. But people have emotions and it's hard to hide them."
McDonald will never forget last season's thrilling finale which saw the Bhoys clinch the title at Tannadice on the last day in one of the greatest finishes to a league campaign in the club's history. "On the final day last season we just concentrated on winning." said McDonald. "It wasn't until Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored for us that I heard Aberdeen were winning 2-0 against Rangers at Pittodrie. But we were winning anyway and on course for the title. I'd give anything to be in that position again but we know Rangers have an advantage."
"The most important thing is we win against Hearts." said the striker. "It's what we have to do to have any chance, then see what happens. We must make sure we do all the right things, the way the gaffer wants, and pass the ball. We'll try to score early and hopefully that will put pressure on events elsewhere. There's a lot to lose but we're the underdogs. I'd like to think Rangers will feel the pressure more."
"I'm sure I'd feel the tension worse if I thought the destiny of the title was in my control." he said. "Rangers will expect us to win and will realise the consequences of defeat at Tannadice. It's nice for us to know they'll be facing that kind of pressure."
The Australian international forward knows how players from the provincial clubs approach matches against either of Glasgow's big two. "Ask any player, it's always a big game when they play the Old Firm. It's a chance for guys to show what you're made of, prove you can play at big stadiums and match up with the best in the league. It will be no different when Hearts visit so it's important everyones' head is in the right place."
Celtic only have themselves to blame for finding themselves in the position whereby they need help from other teams and manager Gordon Strachan admitted as much in his pre-match press conference. Skippy agrees with his manager's assessment and admits that the forwards could and should have done better. "Scoring in important games has been a problem." he said. "It's funny because we have still scored most in the league this season. Going to away grounds has been difficult - we've not won two games on the trot away in the league since December which has led to us being in the position we're in now."