Scottish football is the most interesting it’s been for neutral viewers in years. With the World Cup on the horizon and the Tartan Army already excited for June, the domestic campaign is shining the spotlight further north for outsiders who’ve spent too long ignoring what’s happening beyond the border.
Derek McInnes’ Hearts are top of the table. Rangers now sit two points behind, with Celtic a further two back in third.
The Jambos have led the way virtually all season, defying expectations and establishing themselves as genuine contenders rather than plucky outsiders.
But Rangers under Danny Röhl have hit a run of form that’s put them right in the mix.
It’s been five years since the title arrived at Ibrox. With Celtic in transition and Hearts potentially vulnerable as the pressure mounts, this represents a real chance for Rangers to end that drought.
The next few months will be decisive as the G’ers embark full throttle on a title charge that felt impossible just months ago.
The Röhl Revolution
Three clubs. One trophy. And a title race that is refusing to follow the old script.
Röhl has revitalised Rangers since taking over in October 2025, transforming them from a struggling side stumbling through the Russell Martin era into Scottish Premiership title contenders.
Things were bleak under Martin, and although his tenure was mercifully short-lived, it should serve as a permanent reminder that Premier League experience doesn’t automatically account for success in Scotland.
The new boss, a young, hungry German, has taken the bull by the horns. According to Gambling.com, the trusted authority when exploring new casino sites and sportsbooks, his impact has left Rangers with odds of 19/10 to win the Scottish title, averaging 2.5 points per game, a significant improvement on what came before.
Players who looked lost under Martin suddenly appear revitalised, understanding their roles and executing them with confidence.
When you consider Celtic’s struggles under Martin O’Neill, who’s leaving at the end of the season amid protests and growing discontent, this is the moment to strike.
Hearts remain the problem as leaders, sitting top and showing no signs of bottling their challenge.
The Jambos fought back to take a point against Celtic recently, maintaining their unbeaten home run whilst ending O’Neill’s winning record as Hoops boss this season. But there will be questions over whether they have the staying power required to hold off two Glasgow giants over the final stretch.
Key Dates That Will Define the Season
There are just 9 games until the Premiership split, when the table breaks into a top six and bottom six. That will set up five massive fixtures that will determine this season’s title. Rangers cannot afford any slip-ups between now and then.
The clash with Hearts on 15th February loomed large. Victory closed the gap to two points, putting genuine pressure on the leaders and making the title race a three-way fight. Had they lost it, and suddenly, the Rangers are seven points behind with time running out before the split. It was the definition of a must-not-lose fixture.
Then comes the Old Firm on 1st March at Ibrox, a game that could prove absolutely decisive. Beat Celtic, and Rangers get a big wound upon their greatest rivals whilst maintaining pressure on Hearts.
More importantly, it would inflict further psychological damage on a Celtic side already struggling for identity and confidence under O’Neill’s uncertain leadership.
The trip to Falkirk shouldn’t be overlooked either. They’ve perhaps overperformed at times this season, sitting sixth at the time of writing. They knocked Hearts out of the cup on penalties and have been solid at Westfield, making life difficult for visiting sides. It’s exactly the type of fixture where concentration lapses and Rangers drop silly points.
Beyond the split, every match becomes a cup final. The final five games will likely include another Old Firm fixture and a potential title decider against Hearts, depending on how the league positions settle.
Rangers need to arrive at that stage of the season in touching distance of top spot, ideally within three points, to have a genuine chance of overhauling whoever leads.
How Many Points Will It Take?
Based on points-per-game averages, Hearts are projected to finish on 84 points. That’s lower than each of the five previous champions and 12 fewer than the title-winning average of 96.
The 2.2 points-per-game rate McInnes’ side is posting would be competitive in most European leagues, but Scottish football has set a relentless standard in recent years.
Celtic’s unbeaten season under Brendan Rodgers in 2016-17 exceeded 100 points. Rangers matched that in 2020-21 under Steven Gerrard. Since then, Celtic have won every title with more than 90 points each time.
Neither Glasgow club will hit those tallies this term, but Rangers are averaging 2.5 points per game under Röhl. Maintain that rate, and they’ll finish at approximately 88 points, which should be enough. The math suggests this title race will be won with a lower points total than we’ve become accustomed to, keeping hope alive for everyone.
Can They Get Over the Line?
Rangers have the squad quality to win this title. Under Röhl, they’ve rediscovered an identity and intensity that makes them difficult to play against. But quality alone won’t be enough. The margin for error is minimal, and maintaining that 2.5 points-per-game average whilst hoping Hearts and Celtic drop points is the only path to silverware.
The psychological aspect cannot be ignored. Rangers haven’t won the league since Steven Gerrard was in charge in 2021, and the pressure will intensify as the season reaches its climax.
Hearts deserve credit for leading the way, but history suggests they’ll struggle once the pressure mounts. Celtic remain dangerous despite their troubles, but if there was ever a season for Rangers to strike, this is it.
The next 10 games before the split will tell us everything. Win the big ones, avoid slip-ups against weaker sides, and Rangers will give themselves a genuine chance. The title is there to be won.