The final stretch of the Scottish Premiership is about to begin, and with it comes a flurry of high‑stakes fixtures that could decide the destiny of three of the league's biggest clubs. Five matches remain for each side, and the title, the runner‑up spot and a coveted trophy are all still up for grabs. This weekend marks the start of the post‑split schedule, a phase that always brings extra drama in a campaign that has already defied expectations.
Celtic have a chance to level on points with the league leaders on Saturday if they can secure a win against Falkirk at home, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The following day, Rangers travel to Motherwell, while the leaders Hearts head to Hibernian for the season's final Edinburgh derby, another Sky Sports live event. At the moment Hearts sit on top with five games left to play.
Rangers trail by a single point, and Celtic are two points further back. Despite Derek McInnes’ Rangers having led the table for most of the season, the betting markets now list Rangers as the favourites to lift the trophy, and Opta’s sophisticated algorithm concurs.
According to the model, Danny Röhl’s Rangers are most likely to finish first on 16 May, with McInnes’ side in second place and Celtic in third. Historical context adds weight to the current situation.
Rangers have not finished outside the top two since 1995, while Hearts last broke the Old Firm duopoly by finishing second in 2006 and claimed the championship back in 1960. Both clubs will be eager to prove the super‑computer and the bookmakers wrong in the weeks ahead. Three‑way title battles are rare in Scottish football, but they have produced some memorable seasons. The most authentic example came in 1983 when Dundee United won their final six matches to clinch their only top‑flight trophy, edging Celtic and Aberdeen by a single point.
A comparable scenario unfolded in 1998, when Hearts, Celtic and Rangers were all in contention. A late‑season derby loss left Hearts with just two points from their last five games, Rangers also faltered, and Celtic – despite a defeat to Rangers – ultimately won the league by two points, ending Rangers’ attempt at a historic ten‑in‑a‑row.
Going back twelve years earlier, Hearts again missed out. With two fixtures remaining they were level with Celtic and Dundee United, but United slipped in their penultimate match, and Hearts needed only a draw on the final day. A loss handed the title to Celtic on goal difference after they thrashed St Mirren 5‑0.
These three‑way races have been few and far between, and both Hearts and Rangers supporters will be hoping history does not repeat itself. Celtic fans, on the other hand, may be daring to dream of a resurgence. Celtic’s path to the current title race has been anything but smooth.
The club have cycled through three managers since the departure of Brendan Rodgers. After a brief, 33‑day tenure, Wilfried Nancy was dismissed, leaving Martin O’Neill to pick up the pieces of a campaign that looked destined for disappointment. Despite the turbulence, Celtic remain in the hunt. Their home form could be decisive: at Parkhead they have won four of their last five league matches.
Rangers, by contrast, have managed just one victory in their previous five away fixtures, and Hearts have collected a solitary point from their last five trips away from Tynecastle. Celtic also enjoy a scheduling advantage. They are the only contender with three home games left in the run‑in, whereas both Rangers and Hearts must play three of their final five matches on the road. This could prove crucial, especially given the tight margins separating the three clubs.
Head‑to‑head results add another layer of intrigue. Hearts travelled to Celtic Park in December and emerged victorious, while Rangers also won their lone visit to the east end of Glasgow earlier in the season.
The Jambos will meet Hearts again on 4 May at Tynecastle, a fixture that could swing momentum dramatically. Meanwhile, Rangers’ next trip to Glasgow is scheduled for 10 May, also on Sky Sports. Both managers have spoken about the brief lull before the final push.
Derek McInnes described the week off for Hearts as an opportunity to enjoy some "calm" before the decisive Edinburgh derby, which could be the key to securing their first top‑flight title since 1960. Danny Röhl echoed a similar sentiment, calling the pause "a little time for recovery, but also to work on some small details" and to "refresh the mind". Celtic’s recent 6‑2 demolition of St Mirren, orchestrated by O’Neill, suggests they are still capable of producing a league‑and‑cup double – a prospect that seemed remote only a few months ago. However, four of those goals came in extra‑time, meaning the match was level after 90 minutes.
Some supporters worry that reliance on late‑game heroics could be a warning sign. Social media is buzzing with fan predictions about how the title race might resolve on the final day. It is entirely possible that all three clubs could still be alive on 16 May.
On that day Celtic will host Hearts, while Rangers travel to Falkirk – the side they thrashed 6‑3 in their last encounter before the split. If the Hoops are eliminated before the finale, a question arises: will they turn their backs on the title chase and support one of their rivals at Parkhead?
With Rangers having claimed 13 of the last 14 championships, a Hearts victory would be a bitter pill for the Old Firm faithful. Yet the prospect of seeing the green and white colours of Hearts lift the trophy for the first time in four decades is tantalising for neutral observers.
In a season defined by unexpected twists, anything can happen. The final weeks will test the resolve, depth and tactical acumen of each club. Whether it is Rangers confirming their status as favourites, Celtic mounting a late surge, or Hearts pulling off a historic upset, Scottish football fans are in for a thrilling climax. For those looking to add a little extra excitement, the Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000 – entry is free, and it provides another layer of engagement as the title race reaches its crescendo.