Could you please call me? Probably, but you would guess.
The race for the Scottish Premiership title in the 2025/26 season has had more twists and turns than any previous competition.
Champions Celtic, who have won 13 of the last 14 titles at canter, have been chasing underdogs Hearts for much of the season. A resurgent Rangers joined the race in the winter, having sacked their head coach, sporting director and chief executive after their worst ever start to a league campaign. With dark horse Motherwell closing in on the top three, a fourth force could now emerge.
As the “split” approaches, there are four managers looking to make history, but this time last year, none were in the position.
Are Hearts favorites to win the historic title?
No wonder Opta and the bookmaker think so.
Come the weekend, Hearts will have led the top of the Scottish Premiership for 22 weeks.
So far, it’s been described as a fairytale season. A David vs. Goliath story in which weak people with limited resources bring their resources to the old firm.
But the Bible tells the story as a story of faith and courage, of an inferior defeating an enemy blinded by arrogance. That story does not reflect what has happened in Scotland this year.
Hearts beat Falkirk on Saturday, with Islam Chesnokov scoring the only goal.
Yes, this is an underdog story. When it comes to resources, Hart is not in the same world as the old company. But Derek McInnes’ side were at the top of the league because they were the best team on the pitch, not because they were braver than Rangers or Celtic.
They have scored the most points, scored the most goals against the Glasgow club and have only lost once in six games.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Former player Lee Miller says Hearts are the “favourites” to win the historic Scottish Premiership title ahead of Rangers, Celtic and Motherwell.
They have a four-goal lead and are probably playing the kindest game of the game before the split.
Three home games and two away games against the bottom two teams in the league. Maximum points is not only achievable but should be expected before they face potential title rivals Motherwell on Matchday 33.
Hearts will be secretly hoping their four-point lead widens even further before the split, as they are scheduled to play their old team this weekend.
Are Rangers away days depressing?
Manager Danny Rohr’s Rangers are without a win in their last three away games.
Rangers were 13 points behind Hearts when Danny Rolle took over, but the very fact that they are in the title race should be celebrated.
However, as is the nature of Glasgow football, this season will be considered a failure if we fail to win the league.
When they beat the league leaders 4-2 at Ibrox the other weekend, the gap narrowed to two points, making it a clear victory.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Kris Boyd looks ahead to the Scottish Premiership title race as Hearts continue to lead the likes of Rangers, Celtic and Motherwell.
But Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Livingston was their third successive away draw and was not exactly a battle for the title.
Indeed, despite Roll’s success in turning things around, they have only won five of their 14 away games against Ibrox in all competitions.
There were two tricky games on the road, both at venues Rangers haven’t won this season. Then there was the small matter of a home Old Firm match.
Sunday, March 1st 11am
Kickoff at 12pm
The Light Blues are due to play three more away games after the split and will have to improve their form on the road if they want to win a historic 56th top-flight title.
That said, Rangers spent over £20m in potential transfer fees in January and early signs suggest these players will pay dividends. The same goes for our rivals around town…
A key moment that will define Celtic’s season?
Celtic suffered back-to-back home defeats against Stuttgart in the Europa League and against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
10 days, 4 consecutive away matches, 3 official matches, 2 Old Firm matches.
For Martin O’Neill’s Celtic, the outcome will be decided on three fronts.
Perhaps the European dream is already over – they beat Stuttgart 4-1 ahead of Thursday’s second leg in Germany – but losing it would mean they have lost three in a row for the first time since Wilfried Nancy.
They will then visit Ibrox on consecutive weekends. First a league match, then a Scottish Cup quarter-final, with a rearranged trip to Pittodrie sandwiched in between.
If that wasn’t difficult enough, next weekend high-flying Motherwell will be at Celtic Park in league action.
Is it seasonal? Of course it is, and Mr. O’Neill has already admitted that.
It’s all about points and wins, but you also need to improve your performance. Celtic were riding their luck until successive defeats to Stuttgart and Hibernian.
They have been saved by stoppage time goals in their last three games against Dundee, Livingston and Kilmarnock. Three of the bottom four in the league.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Former Celtic player Stylian Petrov talks about the “exciting” Scottish Premiership title race, potential substitutions at the club, off-pitch issues and Auston Trusty’s red against Hibs.
It could be argued that O’Neill has only won one convincing league game since replacing Nancy at the start of the year, a 4-0 home win over Dundee United in his first game back.
But no other club has picked up more points during O’Neill’s two interim spells – Celtic with 31, Rangers with 26 and Hearts and Motherwell with 23.
Magical Motherwell also participating?
Motherwell have not lost at Fir Park since October.
Why are most people still ignoring Motherwell as they are in the title race?
Probably for the same reason it took so long for Hearts to be recognized as genuine title contenders. These things were not meant to happen.
Hearts have not won the league for 66 years. Motherwell’s only top flight title came in 1932, and for 41 years no one outside of Glasgow has won this title.
But if you choose to ignore history and live in the present, the numbers will tell you that Motherwell is right in this fight.
They have conceded the fewest goals in the league, in fact the fewest in England, and only Roma have a better defensive record when compared to Europe’s top five leagues.
Jens Berthel Askou’s side boast an astonishing 15 clean sheets, better than any other team in Scotland or Europe’s top five leagues.
Their future development is not bad either. After defeating League Cup winners St Mirren 5-0 on Saturday, Motherwell have the highest goal difference in the division, level with leaders Hearts at +27.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Scottish Premiership match between St Mirren and Motherwell.
They sit in fourth place, 10 points behind the leaders, and with one game in hand, they have a chance to directly attack Hearts and Celtic before the split.
This is probably the most difficult match of the pre-division fixtures, with two away draws against the top teams in the league, but Askou’s side are fearing no one. Their dominance of both Old Firm clubs at Fir Park in recent months is proof of that.
Home form can also be important. Motherwell have not lost in Lanarkshire since October, but it was their only defeat at home this season.
