This time last year, Celtic were chasing a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title.
Rangers were trailing by 13 points and manager Philippe Clement was on the verge of being fired. With a 36-point lead, Hearts were in danger of being relegated.
It is said that a week is a long time in football. And a year is a lifetime. But 12 months in Scottish football is an eternity.
Just six points separate the top three in the league ahead of perhaps the biggest gameweek of the season so far.
Third-placed Celtic take on Kilmarnock, followed by league leaders Hearts taking on second-placed Rangers at Ibrox – both broadcast on Sky Sports – with Scotland head coach Steve Clarke as special studio guest!
Sunday, February 15th 1pm
Kickoff at 2pm
Sunday, February 15th 4:15pm
4:30pm kickoff
Situation after the late show
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A dramatic midweek clash saw Celtic and Hearts pick up late winners, but Rangers dropped points against Motherwell.
Amidst the turmoil of management casualties, board changes, and endless fan protests, there was near-constant happening. That means Hearts have been in the top spot for 20 weeks.
After a dramatic conclusion to the midweek game, that lead expanded to five points.
Thomas Magnusson’s 88th-minute goal won the Edinburgh derby, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s debut goal saw Celtic beat Livingston in stoppage time, and Motherwell’s late equalizer denied Rangers a precious victory.
As has been the case all season, a late goal turned the tide once again.
Will Hearts’ Old Firm run continue or will Rangers close the gap?
Leaders Hearts are the only team to beat Rangers in the league this season, and they have done it twice.
Derek McInnes argues that “Most people would have thought we would have collapsed by now.”
While this is true, we’re all past the point of dismissing Hurts as the plucky underdog in this title game.
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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes talks about his bid to equal Sir Alex Ferguson’s record for the Scottish Premiership title ahead of Sunday’s trip to Rangers
Having spent 20 weeks at the top of the table, they have remained undaunted in their five games against their old company, winning four and drawing once, making every point they picked up in the process well worth it.
What particularly catches the eye is his away appearance. McInnes has already won at both grounds in Glasgow and is hoping to become the first manager since Sir Alex Ferguson, who took charge at Aberdeen in 1982/83, to win three away games against his old firm in a single season.
Is it a must-win for the Rangers? Probably, but I’ve said it before.
If they win, they will move within two points of the lead. A loss would leave them with a threatening lead of eight.
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Danny Rolle looks forward to his 100th game as manager as Rangers host league leaders Hearts on Sunday (live on Sky Sports)
Given that the gap was 13 points and considered irreversible when Danny Rolle took over, a win would be more than just progress, it would signal an encouraging trend towards the title.
Coach Rohr pointed out, “When we came here and looked at the form, we were at the top.”
He’s right. Rangers have picked up more Premiership points than any other team since their first game against Kilmarnock in October.
But if this team is serious about winning a silver medal, you’d imagine they’d have to take a hit at the top of the table at some stage.
It was a breakthrough match for O’Neill, and manager McCann hopes Killie’s good progress continues.
Martin O’Neill to take charge of his 300th game as Celtic manager on Sunday – live on Sky Sports
Before that, third-placed Celtic travel to Rugby Park to face relegation-threatened Kilmarnock, who are six points off the top but have a game remaining.
Historically, this is a difficult venue even for Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou’s plucky Celtic side, but the champions have won each of their last three games here.
Martin O’Neill will play his 300th game as Celtic manager, becoming only the sixth manager in the club’s history to achieve such a milestone.
And he is facing his nemesis.
Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann is used to playing against O’Neill’s teams as a player, but this will be his first time in the opposite dugout.
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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann says team will be preparing for a ‘huge’ test ahead of Celtic’s visit to Rugby Park – live on Sky Sports
McCann, who was part of Barry Ferguson’s Rangers coaching staff at the end of last season, appeared to have reinvigorated the Kilmarnock side after they suffered relegation.
They won their last two home games, scoring seven goals in the process, ending a miserable 17-game winless streak.
Three teams, two matches, one title race – all will be shown live on Sky Sports this Sunday.
