This is the first time Celtic and Rangers have changed managers in the same season. Will this open the door for Hearts to win the title?
Martin O’Neill has returned to Parkhead as caretaker manager following the surprise resignation of Brendan Rodgers after the defeat to Hearts left them eight points behind in the title race.
Are Rangers feeling better after their first home win in the Premiership this season?
Wednesday, October 29th 6:45pm
7:45pm kickoff
It’s another big week – Hearts head to St Mirren to continue their unbeaten start, managerless Celtic face Falkirk as they look to avoid a third successive Premiership defeat, and Rangers could be back in the title race with a win against Hibs, live on Sky Sports.
Derek McInnes’ side have confidence and cohesion, but O’Neill will have to try to get the best out of a depleted side. Danny Rohr is at the start of his journey with the Rangers and may have found the direction he needs.
Rodgers leaves, O’Neal returns, needs win
Mr O’Neill returned to Celtic 25 years after taking over, as the club quickly stepped up to replace the ‘divisive’ Rodgers following his resignation.
The club is in turmoil with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond accusing Rodgers of “divisive, misleading and selfish” behavior, but the players’ immediate focus must be on winning against Falkirk on Wednesday night.
Celtic were placed in the unfamiliar position of being chasers and suffered consecutive league defeats for the first time in two years. In fact, the most consecutive wins they’ve had this season is three.
Rodgers has been criticized in recent weeks for not getting the best out of his players, but will O’Neill be even better in just a few days?
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch highlights of the Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Celtic
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Kelechi Iheanacho and Daizen Maeda were all unavailable for Sunday’s game against Hearts, with inexperienced Johnny Kenny starting academy players Dane Murray and Colby Donovan.
Arne Engels, who probably had a bigger contract than any of Hearts’ starters, played alongside the experience of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Kasper Schmeichel, Liam Scales and Kieran Tierney.
Summer signings Sebastian Tunekuti and Benjamin Nygren also started. McGregor scored, but struggled the rest of the way.
Sky Sports’ Chris Boyd pointed to his struggles at full-time at Tynecastle Park, saying: “But now you look at it, Callum McGregor, OK, but he’s been down for a while. Why isn’t he getting the best out of Engels? Why isn’t he getting the best out of Reo Hatate? Why does Kieran Tierney seem so far away from it?
Sebastian Tunekuti’s only goal came against Championship side Partick Thistle in the League Cup.
“Tunekuti came in and was highly praised. He has one goal in nine games against Partick Thistle, no assists, one goal.
“It’s always been directed at the board and other things. That was another distraction. So today it’s another deflection.”
Rodgers has always insisted he would complete his three-year contract if he returned to Parkhead, but he has yet to do so. Celtic have no choice but to win against Falkirk as they begin life without Brendan Rodgers again.
Hearts’ McInnes factor
Tony Bloom made bold predictions of winning the title after investing in Hearts, but the influence of Derek McInnes cannot be ignored.
He also arrived in the summer and immediately wanted to take the club back into the top six and into European football.
Eight wins and one draw are probably more than even the club’s most optimistic fans expected from their first nine games, but confidence continues to grow that they can become the first non-Old Firm team in 40 years to win the title.
Former Scotland striker James McFadden told Sky Sports: “We’re talking about Celtic and Rangers, but the problem is they’re divided. Both clubs are divided. There’s problems everywhere.”
“The heart is streamlined. We’re all united and you can see it on the pitch. Claudio Braga has a song about him, Lawrence Shankland has a song about him, Tony Bloom has a song about him.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Hearts manager Derek McInnes shares his thoughts on his team’s impressive 3-1 win over Celtic as Hearts widen their lead at the top.
“For me, Derek McInnes deserves a lot of credit and there is a connection between everyone at the club from the top down.”
Hearts are now partnering with Jamestown Analytics and data company, the same company that helped build Bloom’s beloved Brighton in the Premier League and underpin their success as current Belgian champions Union Saint Giroise’s shareholders.
This recruitment tool helped them sign 10 new players over the summer, including Claudio Braga and Alex Kyzyridis, but McInnes appears to be bringing other players back to their best form.
Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland scores to make it 3-1 against Celtic
Striker Lawrence Shankland was out of contract but chose to stay and has already scored five goals in the Premiership. His total last season was eight games.
There’s also Craig Halkett. The centre-back struggled with injuries last season, making just 17 league appearances.
He has started every game this season and has scored three goals in league play. This is equal to his total goals scored in the last five seasons at Hearts.
Can Roll rejuvenate the Rangers?
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Kilmarnock.
Manager Danny Rolle’s first domestic game ended with Rangers’ first home league win of the season, with summer signing Youssef Cermiti scoring his first goal for the Ibrox side.
Yes, it was just one win in what has been a disastrous season so far, but there was much more energy on the team, with full-time jeers turning into cheers.
The 36-year-old said after his loss to Blanc that he had “learned a lot about personal profiles” and was not afraid to make changes, vowing to “find a quick solution”.
Bojan Miovski and Danilo returned to the starting XI, with Rohr opting for two strikers instead of one frontman, with two attackers playing wide.
Shapes changed throughout the game as Rangers showed much-needed flexibility.
Cermiti has faced criticism given its price. Sporting director Kevin Thelwell insisted he saw “huge potential” and backed the new head coach to “bring out the best in Youssef”.
The 21-year-old looked a threat when he came on, but his first goal in the top flight since 2023 will undoubtedly take some of the pressure off him.
Youssef Cermiti celebrates after scoring his first goal for Rangers
They will next travel to Easter Road on Wednesday night to take on Hibernian, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. If they win, they could surpass their opponents and move up to third place.
Next Sunday, Celtic will face Old Firm in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
If the German leads Rangers to three consecutive wins, they could be back in the title race and just one game away from winning the trophy.
A big week that could change the complexion of their entire season.
