Three teams. Three points between them. Eight games to go. One unmissable title race.
Hearts’ five-point advantage was cut to two after champions Celtic beat Motherwell, before the league leaders lost at Kilmarnock. Rangers’ win at St Mirren the next day left them a point behind Celtic and within striking distance of Hearts.
There are just three games to go until the Premiership split, when the table breaks into a top six and bottom six, setting up five massive matches to determine the destination of this season’s title. Hearts lead the way and their fearless challenge has created a run-in rich with jeopardy and excitement. However, either half of the Old Firm have lifted the trophy every season for the last 41 years and are closing in.
Opta’s model believes McInnes’ side will be leading the way come April 11, after matchday 33, with Martin O’Neill’s Celtic second and Danny Röhl’s Rangers third. Bookies, meanwhile, make Celtic favourites — a reflection of institutional experience and probability rather than emotion.
Can Hearts recover from away-day blues?
Final pre-split fixtures:
– Dundee (H) – Saturday
– Livingston (A) – April 5
– Motherwell (H) – April 11
When Tony Bloom became involved with Hearts, his prediction was to win the title within 10 years. Despite losing their last three away league games, Hearts are still on the verge of delivering that unlikely promise — ahead of schedule.
Just two transfer windows in, Bloom and Jamestown Analytics have reshaped the squad, adding Claudio Braga, Alexandros Kyziridis and Alexander Schwolow. They were signed to solve problems rather than make noise. Braga (17) and Kyziridis (10) have accounted for 27 goal involvements this season, and Schwolow has 12 clean sheets — second only to Motherwell’s Calum Ward.
Form has been inconsistent in recent weeks, perhaps partly due to the absence of Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin, who have missed the last eight league games. Since losing the injured duo, Hearts have won just half of their Premiership matches in that period. The good news: both are expected back in the coming weeks. McInnes knows holding off the Old Firm all season is a unique challenge; the return of key players may be the difference between daring to dream and delivering something historic.
Why are Celtic favourites?
Final pre-split fixtures:
– Dundee Utd (A) – Sunday
– Dundee (A) – April 5
– St Mirren (H) – April 11
Waters have been choppier in Glasgow, yet Celtic remain the bookmakers’ favourite. Their season has featured managerial turmoil — Brendan Rodgers departed, Martin O’Neill returned for two interim spells, and Wilfried Nancy’s 33-day reign ended in frustration. Under Nancy there were four defeats in six league matches, but O’Neill’s return has reignited belief at Parkhead.
Celtic have often left it late, but mostly they are getting results — the hallmark of champions. Bookmakers price probability, and institutional memory plus underlying data give comfort: even under Nancy they were controlling matches; chance creation stayed solid but conversion suffered and defensive lapses were costly. Under O’Neill, Celtic believe they can still get over the line.
Rangers’ season of twists and turns
Final pre-split fixtures:
– Aberdeen (H) – Saturday
– Dundee Utd (H) – April 4
– Falkirk (A) – April 12
Rangers have experienced managerial change too. Russell Martin’s exit left doubts, but Danny Röhl’s appointment has sparked life into a campaign that could still finish sweetest. Röhl’s revival has been neither loud nor flashy but increasingly effective. After a spell where possession football sometimes sacrificed defensive security and goals, Rangers have become harder to beat — managing risk and dialing down chaos.
There have been bumps — a defeat at Hearts before Christmas and several away draws — but Rangers are one of the few teams to beat Hearts this season and are yet to lose to Celtic in the league. With only three points separating the top three, head-to-head ability could be decisive as the title run-in delivers more twists and turns. Whoever handles the pressure best is likely to come out on top.