This is the most crucial point of the season 25/26. Celtic have lost their second Premiership match in 5 and won just 2 in the same period.
Rangers are not going a LOT better with just 3 wins and 2 draws but it’s decently better form than the Parkhead lot. They have lost 8 points of the last 15. We’d expected Martin O’Neill to be a bigger threat than current form suggests, despite our previous article.
Utd’s win today has changed the picture a fair chunk.
But this is the point where we truly, properly accept that Hearts are a serious bet to win this league.
Ibrox Noise never believed that. We always pegged the green lot as favourites, with ourselves a mile away.
But Derek McInnes, being top of the table by merit, AND having Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland back, are now properly favourites. They’re full strength again and they have the league’s best manager. We had thought that was MON based on his track record, but he’s flagged lately. His Midas touch deserting him.
Hearts scored a crucial 3 points v Dundee to remain 3 points clear and the league is now in a crucial settling period.
All top 3 are in position: Hearts top on 66 points, Rangers keeping the chase on with 63, and Celtic not a million miles away behind with 61. No games in hand, all affairs settled.
It is the most brilliant title race for decades, and Hearts have with repeated grit, proven they’re not to be trifled with.
Over the past 5 matches Rangers top the form table, but Hearts are second, joint with Hibs.
Over the past 10 it’s Rangers again, 2 points clear of Celtic.
15? Rangers again, 3 clear of Hearts.
In none of these tables do Celtic figure as the top or even second team.
Hearts are now legitimate title contenders, and all of the top 3 are truly in with a shout.
There will be many more twists and turns and this is a fantastic weekend for us Rangers fans, and Hearts indeed.
But let’s not pretend it’s over now.
There are many more matches now.
But Celtic are no longer favourites to win this league.