The Scottish Premiership enters its decisive phase with five matches remaining and three clubs still vying for the championship. The post‑split schedule begins this weekend, promising a final stretch packed with tension in a season that has defied expectations. Celtic have a chance to level on points with the league leaders on Saturday if they secure a win over Falkirk at Celtic Park, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The following day, Rangers travel to Motherwell, while the leaders, Hearts, travel to Hibernian for the season's last Edinburgh derby, also shown on Sky Sports.
At present, Hearts sit atop the table with five games left, Rangers trail by a single point, and Celtic are two points further back. Despite Derek McInnes’s Rangers having led for most of the campaign, the betting markets now list Rangers as the favourites, and Opta’s sophisticated algorithm concurs. The model predicts that Danny Röhl’s Rangers are most likely to finish first on 16 May, with McInnes’s side in second place and Celtic in third.
The historical context adds weight to the drama. Rangers have not finished outside the top two since 1995, while Hearts last broke the Old Firm duopoly by finishing second in 2006 and last topped the table in 1960. Both clubs will be eager to overturn the projections of the super‑computer and the bookmakers in the remaining fixtures. Three‑way title battles are rare in Scottish football.
The most genuine example came in 1983 when Dundee United won their final six matches to claim 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 defeat for Hearts in the derby saw them collect only two points from five games, while Rangers also faltered, allowing Celtic – despite losing to Rangers – to win the league by two points, ending Rangers’ pursuit of a historic ten‑in‑a‑row.
Twelve years earlier, Hearts again missed out. With two games left, they were still in the mix alongside Celtic and Dundee United. United’s penultimate loss knocked them out, and Hearts needed only a draw on the final day but were beaten, enabling Celtic to clinch the title on goal difference after a 5‑0 victory over St Mirren.
These three‑way races have been few and far between, and both Hearts and Rangers supporters will hope history does not repeat itself, while Celtic fans might allow themselves a glimmer of optimism. Celtic’s path to the current title chase has been chaotic. After Brendan Rodgers’s departure, the club appointed Wilfried Nancy, who was sacked after just 33 days, leading to Martin O’Neill taking the helm and attempting to steady a floundering campaign.
Their recent form at home has been impressive – four wins in the last five league games at Parkhead – giving them a potential edge, as they will host both of their rivals during the run‑in. By contrast, Rangers have won only once in their last five away fixtures, and Hearts have managed just a single point from their previous five road games.
Celtic are the only contender with three home games in the final stretch, while Hearts and Rangers each have three away matches. This scheduling advantage could prove decisive, but the season has been anything but predictable, especially when considering head‑to‑head results.
Hearts defeated Celtic at Celtic Park in December, and Rangers also won their sole visit to the Glasgow east end earlier in the season. Both clubs will meet again in May – Hearts will host Rangers on 4 May, and Rangers will travel to Celtic Park on 10 May – with both fixtures set for live broadcast on Sky Sports. While Hearts and Rangers used a free week to train in sunny Spain, Celtic were at Hampden Park preparing for the Scottish Cup final.
Derek McInnes described the break as an opportunity for his players to enjoy a brief period of "calm" before the crucial Edinburgh derby that could decide their first top‑flight title since 1960. Danny Röhl echoed this 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 triumph over St Mirren, orchestrated by O’Neill, put them within striking distance of a league‑and‑cup double – a prospect that seemed remote just months ago. However, four of those six goals came in extra‑time, raising questions among supporters about the team’s ability to secure a win within the regular 90 minutes. Social media is buzzing with fan predictions about the possible outcomes if the title race goes down to the final day. It remains conceivable that all three clubs could still be alive on 16 May.
Celtic will host Hearts, while Rangers travel to Falkirk – the side they beat 6‑3 in the last match before the split. Should Hearts be eliminated from contention, the question arises whether they will cheer for either rival at Parkhead. With the Old Firm having claimed 13 of the last 14 championships, Hearts supporters will feel the sting of missing out, and would likely find it even more painful to see their traditional rivals lift the trophy.
Could we witness the green and white of Celtic backing the maroon and white of Hearts to secure their first league crown in four decades? The season has been full of unexpected twists, and as the final weeks unfold, virtually anything is possible. Fans can also take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available now.