The business end of the season is now upon us. Every single weekend now actually matters on a level that we have not seen in terms of this closeness for many, many a season, possibly ever. You are going back to the days of Helicopter Sunday and the days of Dunfermline ‘lying down’, literally 20+ years ago, for the last time that a league title was this closely fought at the top of the table. Of course, the further variable this time is the presence of Hearts. Rangers title race is unreal.
Living Memory
It is the first time in probably living memory that three teams have been in the title chase this late. We are now deep into February, and any of the three could literally win the trophy at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. Regardless of who might be the bookies’ favourites, or who Ibrox Noise thinks is the favourite, the reality is that there are three contenders. When was the last time we had that?
A Three Way Title Race
Subsequently, every weekend or midweek card is now critical, and this weekend of course is naturally no exception. Rangers travel to Almondvale while Celtic will host Hibs. Consequently, at the same time kick off on Sunday, it will be dog eat dog. Just like good old Helicopter Sunday back in the day when both matches kicked off at the same time. We saw twist and turn throughout the course of the 90 minutes. There has, of course, been a little bit of banter about injury time and added time. We have tried to clear that one up, and naturally nobody listened. Everyone sees what they want to see, so we will just leave that topic. But this is once again another pivotal one.
The Almondvale Challenge
Travelling to Almondvale is a tough one. They might be absolutely abysmal this season and certs to go down, but Rangers have always struggled on that carpet pitch over there in Livi. That surface is diabolical. It is the worst in the Scottish Premiership by a mile. It is worse than Kilmarnock’s. Consequently, while it is not an excuse, it is a mitigating factor in Rangers title race. Playing football on that surface is perilous. But it is nevertheless what Rangers must do, and successfully so, to overcome David Martindale’s side.
Martindale
He will be gunning for Rangers. Of course, he is a Rangers man through and through, and would absolutely want Rangers to win the title. But his priority, just like Neil McCann at Kilmarnock, who is exactly the same way inclined, is to keep his team up. He is a Livingston man now, on top of his Rangers allegiances, and he wants to keep Livi up. He will be gunning for our club, and it is absolutely essential that, just like against Motherwell, Danny Rohl does not underestimate his opponent.
No Room For Error
Motherwell, of course, are a top side, regardless of the recent controversial defeat to Aberdeen. They are a top, top side and are certs to probably finish fourth this season. This is the strongest top three that we have had in a long time, and that is the only reason that Motherwell are not in the top three. They fall just a little bit short, but are very, very strong. Nevertheless, our focus is on Rangers, and indeed our city rivals, and indeed our Edinburgh rivals this season. This weekend is a huge one. The outcome of this trio of matches is now the way things are going to be for every single match card onwards. Hearts, Celtic and ourselves.
Rangers are looking, of course, to manage to win an unlikely Rangers title race after the way things started, but there is a mountain to climb to do that. To do so, they are going to need some favours. We will need favours. There is no question that a defeat for Celtic would be usefully helpful or even a draw. It would make a big difference, because Danny Rohl has stumbled more than once domestically, even although Rangers are currently in with a shout of the title. Overall, it makes for a fascinating title race running, and we certainly hope that it is Rangers who come out on top of this one.