The business end of the Scottish Premiership season has arrived, and the heightened reactions to recent events confirm that the title race is now in full swing. After Hearts secured a straightforward victory over Falkirk, both Celtic and Rangers suffered setbacks, losing precious points and composure against Hibernian and Livingston, respectively.
Hearts' Commanding Position
With the home straight now visible, every misstep and perceived injustice from officials is met with increased hysteria. There are still three months of this intense competition ahead. Once the dust settled on another gripping weekend, the possibility of Derek McInnes' Hearts side achieving what was once unthinkable—winning the league—seemed more plausible than ever.
Hearts currently lead by four points over Rangers and six over Celtic. They are expected to extend this margin on Saturday when they face struggling Aberdeen at Tynecastle. For the Gorgie players, Sunday offers a chance to watch their rivals clash, knowing a slip-up could be catastrophic for morale.
Old Firm Clash Implications
The loser of the upcoming Old Firm derby at Ibrox will still mathematically be in contention, but the psychological damage as games dwindle would be immense. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill cannot afford any more slips after the defeat by Hibs, while Rangers needed a late equaliser from Mikey Moore to draw 2-2 with Livingston on Sunday.
Kris Boyd, a former Rangers and Kilmarnock forward with title-winning experience, believes Hearts are in a strong position. "Hearts can afford now to potentially have a slip-up here and there," Boyd said. "But the chasing pack have lost that luxury. Celtic had a game in hand to close the gap, but that opportunity is gone."
Boyd added, "With Rangers and Celtic facing each other this weekend, both cannot bounce back from a loss. I personally feel that whoever loses at Ibrox is out of the title race."
Celtic's Struggles and Rangers' Challenges
Celtic, champions in 13 of the last 14 seasons, have players familiar with title races, but their form is concerning. With seven defeats in 27 Premiership games—matching their total from the previous two years—the team appears lost rather than poised for a surge. Boyd noted, "They're in disarray. The performances have not been good enough, and relying on last-minute goals is unsustainable."
Rangers have shown improvement under Danny Rohl, but recent away performances have been poor. Drawing with Livingston, a team with just one win this season, was a dismal outcome, following previous away losses to Hibs and Motherwell. Boyd emphasised, "Rangers must find a way to replicate their home form on the road. Three consecutive away games without a win is a problem Rohl needs to address urgently."
Hearts' Favorable Run and Broader Impact
Hearts did not dazzle against Falkirk, but a victory was all that mattered after their loss at Ibrox. McInnes' side has a favourable schedule ahead, facing Kilmarnock (away), Dundee (home), and Livingston (away). While no game is a given, facing bottom-six sides is advantageous.
Boyd is increasingly convinced that the 41-year dominance of Celtic and Rangers might be ending. "Hearts have left the big two behind, both on and off the field," he said. "There's a proper structure at Tynecastle, and they're well ahead of schedule. It might not be a Glasgow team winning the league this year."
He concluded, "I wouldn't say it's Hearts' to lose, but they're in a very good position."
