The Scottish Premiership is entering its most suspenseful phase, with just five matches left for each of the three clubs still in the hunt for the league crown. The post‑split schedule begins this weekend and promises a cascade of high‑stakes encounters that could reshape the final table.
Celtic have a chance to equal Hearts on points on Saturday if they defeat Falkirk at home in a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. A victory would see the Glasgow side draw level with the capital club, tightening the race to a razor‑thin margin. The following day, Rangers travel to Motherwell for their own crucial fixture, while later on the same day the league leaders, Hearts, travel to Hibernian for the season's final Edinburgh derby. All three games will be shown live on Sky Sports, underscoring the commercial and sporting importance of this closing stage.
At present, Hearts sit atop the table with five games remaining, Rangers trail by a single point, and Celtic are two points further back. Despite Derek McInnes’ Rangers having led for the bulk of the campaign, the betting markets now list the Gers as the favourites to win the title, and Opta’s sophisticated statistical model concurs. According to the computer’s projections, Danny Röhl’s Rangers are the most likely to finish first on 16 May, with McInnes’ side in second place and Celtic in third.
Historical context adds extra intrigue. Rangers have not finished a season 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 defy the odds and prove the super‑computer and bookmakers wrong. Three‑way title battles are rare in Scottish football.
The most genuine recent example occurred in 1983 when Dundee United won their final six games to clinch their only top‑flight trophy, edging Celtic and Aberdeen by a single point. A comparable three‑way scramble unfolded in 1998, when Hearts, Celtic and Rangers were all still in contention. In that season, a derby loss left Hearts with just two points from five games, Rangers faltered, and Celtic, despite a defeat to Rangers, ultimately won the league by two points, ending Rangers’ bid for a historic ten‑in‑a‑row.
Going back twelve years, Hearts again missed out. With two matches left they were level with Celtic and Dundee United, but United’s penultimate loss knocked them out. Hearts needed only a draw on the final day but were beaten, allowing Celtic to clinch the title on goal difference after a 5‑0 demolition of St Mirren. Fans of both Hearts and Rangers will hope history does not repeat itself, while Celtic supporters might dare to dream of a resurgence.
Celtic’s path to this point has been tumultuous. After Brendan Rodgers’ departure, the club cycled through three managers in quick succession, sacking Wilfried Nancy after just 33 days and appointing Martin O’Neill, who has been tasked with rescuing a season that appeared doomed. Despite the upheaval, Celtic remain in the chase, bolstered by a strong home record: they have won four of their last five league games at Parkhead.
Rangers, by contrast, have managed only one win in their previous five away fixtures, and Hearts have secured just a single point from their last five trips outside Edinburgh. Celtic enjoy a scheduling advantage, with three of their remaining games at home, whereas both Rangers and Hearts must play three of their final five matches on the road. This disparity could prove decisive, especially given the tight margins.
Head‑to‑head results add another layer of complexity. Hearts travelled to Celtic Park in December and won, while Rangers also claimed victory in their only visit to the east end of Glasgow before returning for the decisive meeting on 10 May, also televised on Sky Sports.
Earlier, Hearts beat Rangers at Tynecastle ahead of their clash on 4 May, again broadcast live. 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 a chance for his players to enjoy a brief period of calm before the high‑stakes Edinburgh derby, which he sees as pivotal to ending the Jambos’ 64‑year league title drought. Danny Röhl echoed this sentiment, calling the pause "a little time for recovery and to work on small details, refreshing the mind." Celtic’s recent 6‑2 thrashing of St Mirren, overseen by Martin O’Neill, suggests the team could be on the verge of a league‑and‑cup double – a prospect that seemed remote just a few months ago. However, four of those six goals came after extra time, raising questions about whether Celtic can secure a win within the regular 90 minutes against top rivals. Social media is buzzing with fan predictions about the possible outcomes if the title race goes to the final day.
There remains a realistic scenario where all three clubs are still mathematically alive on 16 May. Celtic will host Hearts, while Rangers travel to Falkirk – the same side they beat 6‑3 in the last pre‑split encounter.
Should Hearts be eliminated before the final round, the question arises whether they will turn their backs on Rangers and cheer for Celtic at Parkhead. With the Old Firm having amassed 13 titles in the last 14 seasons, a Hearts triumph would be a seismic shift, while a Rangers victory would reinforce their dominance. Conversely, a Celtic title would break a 40‑year drought and restore some balance to Scottish football.
In a season defined by unexpected twists, anything is possible. The final five games will decide whether the data‑driven forecasts hold true or whether the passion and unpredictability of the sport will rewrite the script.
Fans can stay engaged by streaming matches without a contract, watching free highlights, or even entering the Super 6 competition for a chance at a £250,000 prize. The drama is set, the stakes are high, and the Scottish Premiership’s climax promises to be one of the most memorable finishes in recent memory.