The final stretch of the Scottish Premiership is set to deliver a dramatic climax, with five matches left for three heavyweight clubs and a single trophy still up for grabs. After the league splits, the schedule kicks off this weekend, promising a roller‑coaster finish to a season that has defied expectations at every turn. Celtic have the chance to close the gap at the summit on Saturday. A home victory over Falkirk, broadcast live on Sky Sports, would see them level on points with the league leaders.
The following day, Rangers travel to Motherwell, while the current leaders, Hearts, head to Hibernian for the season's last Edinburgh derby, also televised on Sky Sports. At this stage Hearts sit top with five games remaining, Rangers trail by a single point, and Celtic are two points further back. Although Derek McInnes’ Rangers have led for much of the campaign, the betting markets now list them as the favourites for the title, 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’ side slipping into second place and Celtic ending the season in third.
Historical context adds weight to the current scenario. 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 remaining weeks. Three‑way title battles are rare in Scottish football, but they have produced some of the most memorable seasons.
The most genuine three‑way contest occurred in 1983 when Dundee United won their final six games to clinch the league by a single point ahead of Celtic and Aberdeen. A similar situation unfolded in 1998, when Hearts, Celtic and Rangers were all in contention.
A late‑season derby loss saw Hearts collect only two points from their final five games, while Rangers also faltered, allowing Celtic – despite a defeat to Rangers – to win the title by two points and deny Rangers 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. United’s penultimate defeat knocked them out, and Hearts needed merely a draw on the final day.
A loss handed the championship 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, meanwhile, may be daring to dream of a triumphant finish. Celtic’s path to the current title race has been anything but smooth.
The club has cycled through three managers after the departure of Brendan Rodgers and the brief, 33‑day tenure of Wilfried Nancy, leaving Martin O’Neill to try and steady a campaign that looked destined for disaster. Their recent home form could prove decisive: Celtic have won four of their last five league games at Parkhead, while Rangers have managed only one win in their last five away fixtures, and Hearts have collected a single point from their last five trips. Celtic also enjoy a scheduling advantage.
They are the only contender with three home games during the run‑in, whereas both Rangers and Hearts must travel for three of their final five matches. This home‑field edge could be crucial, especially given the volatile nature of the season. Head‑to‑head results add another layer of intrigue. Hearts travelled to Celtic Park in December and secured a win, while Rangers also triumphed in their sole visit to the east end of Glasgow.
Their next encounter at Ibrox is slated for 10 May, live on Sky Sports. Moreover, Hearts defeated Rangers at Tynecastle ahead of the May 4 meeting, also broadcast. While Hearts and Rangers used a free week to train in the Spanish sunshine, Celtic were at Hampden Park preparing for the Scottish Cup final. McInnes described his squad’s break as a chance to enjoy some "calm" before the high‑stakes Edinburgh derby that could determine their first top‑flight title since 1960.
Röhl echoed this sentiment, calling the pause "a little time for recovery and to work on small details" and an opportunity to "refresh the mind". Celtic’s recent 6‑2 demolition of St Mirren, overseen by O’Neill, put them on the brink of a possible league‑and‑cup double – a scenario that seemed unlikely just a few months earlier. However, four of those six goals arrived in extra‑time, raising questions about whether a 90‑minute draw could expose vulnerabilities that opponents might exploit.
Social media is buzzing with fan speculation about how the title race could unfold on the final day. There remains a realistic chance that all three clubs will still be in contention when the whistle blows on 16 May. Celtic will host Hearts at Parkhead, while Rangers travel to Falkirk – the side they routed 6‑3 in their last pre‑split encounter. If Hearts are eliminated before the finale, the question arises: will they cheer for one of their rivals?
With the Old Firm having claimed 13 of the last 14 championships, Hearts supporters would be left nursing a painful defeat, especially if either Rangers or Celtic lifts 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 defined by the unexpected, and anything is possible as the final matches approach. Fans can also try their luck in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available now.