Three clubs. One trophy. And a title race that refuses to follow the old script.
The momentum is swinging, the pressure is mounting and every game now carries the weight of a season.
Leaders Hearts beat St Mirren on Wednesday night despite again being down to 10 men, while Martin O’Neill’s Celtic claimed an unconvincing but vital win at Falkirk.
Hearts’ fearless challenge away from the Old Firm created a rush fraught with danger and an excitement you couldn’t take your eyes off. Are they on course to end Celtic and Rangers’ 40-year dominance?
As the campaign heads towards the end of the second round of fixtures, it is Hearts who sit at the summit – leading by 50 points.
Celtic, with 44 points, are driven by expectations as much as ambition. After weeks of turbulence, transition and defeat under Wilfrid Nancy, they were immediately catapulted back into the headline picture on the return of Martin O’Neill.
Rangers, behind their Old Firm rivals on goal difference, know better than most how quickly things can swing in this league. They are the form horse – they have taken the most points in the league since the appointment of Danny Roll…
Hearts still lead the way: Catch us if you can
Next five league games:
Celtic (h) – 25 January – live on Sky Sports
Dundee United (a) – 31 January – live on Sky Sports
St Mirren (a) – 3rd February – live on Ski Sports
Hibernian (h) – 10. feb
Rangers (a) – 15. feb
McInnes’ Hearts were the first non-Old Firm side to top Scottish football on New Year’s Day since the 1993/94 season.
When Tony Bloom joined Hearts, his prediction was that they would win the title within 10 years. He is on the verge of fulfilling that incredible promise well ahead of schedule. It only took one full transition period for his Jamestown Analytics model to work its magic.
Alexandros Kiziridis and Claudio Braga were not detained to make statements or make noise. They are brought in to solve problems. And in doing so, Hearts may have discovered just how far behind much of Scottish football still is when it comes to recruitment. Hearts have targeted skill sets, not resumes. They looked at what their system needed and went shopping in markets that others ignored.
Between them, Braga (13) and Kiziridis (9) have been responsible for 22 goals this season, while team-mate Laurence Shankland – who stayed at the club after his contract expired in the summer – has scored 11 goals and provided three assists.
Braga (left) and Shankland have 19 league goals between them for Hearts this season
Hearts, who are the top scorers in the league with 42 goals, will need Braga, Kiziridis, Shankland and whoever to continue to be hot this year.
Derek McInnes’ side responded to their Edinburgh derby defeat at Hibernian with three straight wins to keep Celtic and Rangers at arm’s length.
However, keeping the Old Firm going throughout the season is a unique challenge. In a race where the pressure is mounting week by week, Hearts’ ability to keep finding the net could be the difference between daring to dream – and delivering something truly historic.
Rangers on Roll
Next five league games:
Dundee (h) – January 25
Hibernian (a) – 1 February
Kilmarnock (h) – 4 Feb
Motherwell (a) – 11th February – live on Sky Sports
Hearts (h) – 14 February – live on Sky Sports
“Rangers are out of it, they’re done and they can forget about it, 12 points is too much to get back.”
For Chris Boyd, his former side’s title hopes were dashed after a 2-1 defeat by Hearts on December 21. However, just weeks later, after taking 15 points from 15, including a win at Celtic Park, the picture looks far rosier.
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Rangers came from behind to beat Celtic in a crucial game in the Scottish Premiership title race
Rangers’ revival under Rohl has not been loud. It’s not flashy. But everything is more efficient.
After a turbulent period under Russell Martin, where possession football often came at the expense of defensive security and goals, Rangers are now winning by becoming increasingly difficult to beat.
Chaos is reduced. Risks are managed. And most importantly, goals against the column have tightened dramatically. Only 17 goals delivered in 22 games tells its own story.
Rangers
Now, Rangers are far less conceding, more clinical from set pieces and Rohl isn’t afraid to change shape if plan A doesn’t work. The best example of this was at half-time against Celtic, with his side 1-0 up, Rohl improved his form and 26 minutes later his side took a 3-1 lead at the home of their fiercest rivals.
The Rangers may not be the finished article yet, but they are building a platform that travels well in the title race: defensive resilience, game management and the ability to punish opponents at crucial moments.
Struggling Celtic remain title favorites – why?
Next five league games:
Hearts (a) – 25 January – live on Sky Sports
Falkirk (h) – February 1
Aberdeen (a) – 4th February – live on Ski Sports
Livingston (h) – 11. feb
Kilmarnock (a) – 15 February, live on Sky Sports
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Martin O’Neill admits it was a difficult night for Celtic following their win at Falkirk as he says the club are hoping to get new signings in the door
Logic suggests that the Scottish Premiership title race has shifted away from Celtic. The pattern line certainly has. Four defeats in six league matches under Nancy did not help the cause.
However, his dismissal and the return of O’Neill for a second transfer window this season means their dreams are not over.
The 73-year-old needs to make up three points behind Rangers and six points behind leaders Hearts. For all the changes in the dugout and the expected changes on the pitch during the January transfer window, when you check the bookies’ prices in the title race, one thing hasn’t changed: Celtic remain favorites with Sky Bet.
Whether that will be right or wrong by the end of the season, only time will tell. But bookmakers don’t appreciate emotions. They value probability. And in this title race, the odds still lean heavily towards Celtic – even amid the turbulence.
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Celtic beat Falkirk to make it back-to-back wins on O’Neill’s return
The bookies are banking on institutional memory as this is a club that knows how to win the title when the pressure is on. And, most importantly, basic data also provides comfort.
Under Nancy, Celtic continued to dominate matches. Chance creation didn’t fail – conversion did, while defensive lapses were costly.
Celtic don’t look like champions at the moment. That’s clear. However, they did so under O’Neill when he first returned to the club.
Five league wins out of five, with one goal conceded, should have launched the club’s title defense.
He is on track to repeat the results he managed earlier in the season, which means anything is possible.