One of the most curious phrases that gets used to describe Scottish football is two-horse race. Now, obviously, this is a metaphor when in horse racing there are only two horses that are actually genuinely contenders to win the race. The rest are, as we know, also-rans. In Scottish football, of course, this terminology applies to Rangers and Celtic, the two-horse race. However, there is a bit of a misnomer in that in the first place. And that is to say that the majority of titles won by either of these sides is generally a one-horse race. It is very, very rare that in a single season both Rangers and Celtic are strong.
Domination
In most seasons, one is by far the strongest and the other is well and truly also-rans. There have been many seasons where either Rangers or Celtic have won the title by 10 or even 20 points. Domination by one side tends to be the key every single season, even if it might start out a little more even. Of course, this does have permutations and caveats to it, in that initially it is either one or the other that will be that dominant force, hence two-horse race. However, that is still a misnomer because ultimately by around October, one of these sides has gone clear and it is not even a race anymore. Generally speaking, the SPL has been a one-horse race.
Rare genuine title battles
Rangers and Celtic are either of the two favourites, for as long as we can remember. Ibrox Noise was reminded of the 2007-2008 season, which was an exceptional exception. That was, of course, Manchester and ‘sporting integrity’. Gordon Strachan’s Celtic won all five post-split matches. That is a very rare thing to achieve and has barely been achieved by anybody else in the Old Firm since the split was conceived around the year 2000.
However, Rangers were a colossi themselves that season, albeit Rangers did not win the UEFA Cup, but nevertheless were so incredibly strong domestically and, with a bit of help from Celtic (!), might actually have managed to secure that elusive European trophy for Scotland, never mind just for Rangers.
Historic near misses and photo finishes
Nevertheless, the strength of both teams led to a genuine two-horse race that entire season until the very bitter end. There have been other examples, of course, Helicopter Sunday being a classic example, and Dunfermline lying down for the 6-1. These were rare examples of when a two-horse race has been a borderline photo finish.
But in general, it is a one-horse race that tends to manifest itself in Scottish football.
A completely unprecedented season
Not this season, of course, and that is what this big ramble was getting to. Into April already, we have three horses who are all vying for that finish line. It is an absolutely staggering dichotomy shift. It is an incredible change to see Hearts not only pushing Rangers and Celtic, but still leading them both as we come towards the sprint finish.
Six matches left and we have a genuine and completely unprecedented three-horse race in the Scottish Premiership. It is completely unheard of and even although Aberdeen won in 1985, they were by far the best team that season as well. This, right now, is literal new, uncharted territory for Scottish football. It is extraordinary to see three teams, all of which have a legitimate case to win the league with just six portions of 90 minutes left. Two horse race? Nope. Incredible.