Scottish Premiership: Celtic & Hearts cash in as Rangers implode

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Scottish Premiership: Celtic & Hearts cash in as Rangers implode

The Scottish Premiership is delivering one of the most exciting title races in Europe, and surprisingly, Hearts of Midlothian is right at the centre of all the drama.

It’s been over four decades since a club outside Glasgow won the Premiership title, with the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson leading Aberdeen to glory in 1985.

Since then, Celtic and Rangers have turned the league into their own playground, with the former winning the title four years in a row.

However, that dominance is now truly threatened by Hearts, who have emerged as the surprise package of the 2025/26 campaign.

Hearts took another massive step toward becoming the first non-Old Firm title winners in this generation after coming from behind to beat Hibernian away from home on Sunday.

Celtic had already piled the pressure with a 3-1 victory over Falkirk on Saturday, while Rangers capitulated, falling to a 3-2 defeat against Motherwell on home turf.

Here’s how the Premiership title race is shaping up after matchday 34.

Who’s in the driving seat?​

After kicking off the Championship Round with a dramatic 2-1 victory over city rivals Hibernian at the Easter Road Stadium, Hearts remain in the driving seat in the Premiership title race.

The table toppers were handed a scare when Martin Boyle opened the scoring for Hibernian just seven minutes into the Edinburgh derby.

Momentum shifted in their favour when Raphael Sallinger was sent off for a professional handball, but Hearts still struggled to find a response.

They were handed yet another lifeline when the hosts were reduced to nine men just three minutes into the second half after Felix Passlack received a second yellow.

But they only capitalised after the hour mark when Warren O’Hora’s own goal levelled matters before Blair Spittal netted the winner in the 86th minute.

That victory meant Hearts maintained their three-point lead over Celtic, who made light work of Falkirk, while Rangers surprisingly fell short against Motherwell.

After going 2-0 down inside the opening half an hour, Rangers showed resilience by levelling the game in the second half courtesy of goals from Youssef Chermiti and Nicolas Raskin.

However, Emmanuel Longelo’s late winner drove a dagger into the heart of the Rangers faithful, with the Hoops now trailing Hearts by four points.

All to play for in the final four fixtures​

Last weekend’s result means Rangers have a lot of catching up to do, but this title race is far from a forgone conclusion.

Hearts playing a crucial role at the top end is an exciting breath of fresh air, but they still have a long way to go in their quest to make history.

With just four points separating the top three, there’s still plenty to play for in the final four games, and each one will now feel like a final.

The Premiership run-in is also littered with mouth-watering title deciders. Celtic will visit Hibernian next Sunday, while Hearts and Rangers go head-to-head at Tynecastle Park.

The last Glasgow derby of the season will follow on May 10, although Hearts will get a chance to pile the pressure when they visit Motherwell the day before.

Celtic and Hearts will then lock horns at Parkhead in a blockbuster season finale that could decide who wins the 2025/26 Premiership title.

Now forced to play catch-up, Rangers will hope they’re still in the conversation when they visit Falkirk in their curtain dropper.

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