Kris Boyd warned that Rangers face a make-or-break situation in the Scottish Premiership’s most dramatic season. If they do not secure a victory in their upcoming away match against league leaders Hearts on May 4, their hopes of challenging for the championship will effectively vanish, according to the former Rangers forward who spoke to Sky Sports. The campaign has already delivered a series of unexpected twists.
Celtic, after a win over Falkirk that lifted them into second place, suffered a surprising setback when Danny Röhl’s side endured their first home defeat of the season at the hands of Motherwell. That loss opened the door for the Jambos to reassert their dominance. In an electrifying Edinburgh derby, Hearts, reduced to nine men, still managed to claim a memorable win over Hibernian, extending their lead over the Old Firm to three points with four games remaining.
For Boyd, the stakes could not be higher. "Rangers have to go there [Tynecastle] and win, or it’s done," he told Sky Sports, acknowledging that he has likely repeated the sentiment several times throughout the season. He added that a loss would hand Celtic a massive psychological boost, especially with the Scottish Cup final looming at Ibrox.
He highlighted the intensity of the Hibs encounter, noting that the narrow 1‑0 advantage for the Edinburgh side could have been a turning point for them. "They might have thought ‘this could be ours again’, but Hearts have simply found another way to win a game and keep putting pressure on Glasgow’s two biggest clubs," Boyd explained. Hearts have been the benchmark for consistency all season, and Boyd finds it difficult to argue against their staying power. "They've been at the top of the table for a long, long time now," he said, acknowledging the criticism that has occasionally been directed at Hearts manager Derek McInnes.
"There have been people who have questioned Derek McInnes – his mindset, his approach – but if you asked any of the Hearts players who they’d want as a manager, they’d name Derek McInnes." Boyd also praised the analytical work done by Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics, while stressing that success still hinges on strong leadership within the dressing room. "Tony Bloom and the Jamestown analytics have taken a lot of credit, and rightly so, but you still need someone who has full belief and full control of the squad because you can lose that control," he said.
He emphasized the importance of squad depth, noting that substitutes must be ready to make an impact not only in the current match but also to lay the groundwork for the following week. The upcoming fixture pits Rangers against Hearts a day after Celtic travel to Easter Road to face Hibernian, both matches being broadcast live on Sky Sports. In the pre‑match press conference, Hearts head coach Derek McInnes was candid about the competitive environment.
"Anyone who says they’re not interested in how the other teams are doing is lying. I always watch the games. For us, the kick‑offs today meant we had to focus solely on Hearts," he said.
McInnes also reflected on the difficulty of winning five consecutive games in a season as unpredictable as this one. "We thought it would be unlikely for one team to win all five games based on how the league has unfolded. If you can capture momentum and start strong in the first split game, it sets you up for the next," he explained. He cautioned that a win against Rangers would not guarantee an easy path forward, but it would provide a psychological lift.
"Just because you win this one doesn’t make the next any easier, but psychologically it does us no harm. We still need to perform. No one is going to give us anything – we can’t rely on anyone else. It’s all on us," McInnes added.
Rangers manager Danny Röhl, speaking to Sky Sports News, underscored his belief in his squad’s resilience. "My job is to go forward, lead them, I will lift them," he declared. He acknowledged the disappointment that can accompany setbacks but insisted the team must maintain belief.
"We can be disappointed, but we lift them again, I give them the belief. It’s not over, this is the part in this split, you have to carry on. It makes no sense to think it’s over," Röhl said. Röhl continued, "If there’s a final whistle at the end of the season, then it’s over.
My team has done well so far and I have no doubts we can do it again, to take four wins, but it’s not easy. We know this, and with this point we go forward. We keep believing in what we are doing and we have the chance to turn the next game back to our side." Both managers highlighted the importance of mental strength and consistency as the season reaches its climax. With the title race tightening, Rangers must summon every ounce of quality, tactical acumen, and squad depth to overcome a Hearts side that has shown remarkable resilience all year.
A victory at Tynecastle would keep Rangers’ championship aspirations alive and force Celtic to chase from behind, while a defeat could see the Old Firm’s hopes evaporate as Hearts cement their dominance. The match promises to be a pivotal moment in what has already been an unforgettable Scottish Premiership season, and fans across Scotland will be watching closely to see whether Rangers can rise to the occasion or whether Hearts will continue to dictate the narrative at the top of the table.