Can Rangers catch Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race? | Football news

What is the state of play?

There are four matches left. A difference of three points. A big old organization clash is coming.

It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride as leaders Celtic and rivals Rangers battle it out for top spot in the Scottish Premiership.

Back-to-back fixtures, with Celtic hosting Hearts on Saturday, Rangers face Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Sunday – Live on Sky Sports.

All eyes will then turn to Celtic Park on May 11, as the Old Firm meet for the final time in the league this season – Live on Sky Sports – In the game that decides where the title ends.

Rangers are first in action after the derby clash with a home game against Dundee on May 14, while Celtic then face a trip to Kilmarnock the following day – Live on Sky Sports.

It all comes to a dramatic conclusion on May 18 when one of the two clubs is awarded the trophy. Celtic are at home to St Mirren while Rangers are at Hearts.

Who are the favorites for the title?

In parts of this campaign, it’s really impossible to call. However, with just four games remaining, Celtic are in the driving seat.

As well as leading their rivals by three points – they will have home advantage when the teams meet for the final time in the league this season on May 11 – Live on Sky Sports.

However, if the past eight months have taught us anything, it’s that another twist in the story may be on the horizon.

Back in October when Gers boss Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale, few were predicting a close-fought title race. He inherited a team that had lost confidence in Europe and was struggling.

However, a 16-game unbeaten run saw the Belgian and Celtic’s seven-point gap stand at five and Rangers decisively had two games in hand.

Before the turn of the year, the champions responded with a 2-1 win over their Old Firm rivals to move Rodgers’ side eight points clear of the 2024 summit.

It was then Rangers’ turn to hit back and they won both of their games in hand after the winter break, but Celtic dropped points at Aberdeen – allowing Rangers to go top.

When the hoops fell again Drawing at home to KilmarnockRangers moved clear of the summit for the first time this season Defeated St Johnstone 24 hours later.

Further evidence that there were twists and turns ahead came in the opening weekend of March. Both clubs lost on the same weekend in the Premiership for the first time since 2018 Motherwell won 2-1 at Ibrox Gives Celtic an advantage – just Hearts beat Rodgers 2-0 at Tynecastle Park.

The Hoops returned to the top in March and then left Ibrox with a point A pulsating Old Firm clash It ended 3-3. The gap remained at one point, with second-placed Rangers having a game in hand.

Cue another shock. Celtic beat St Mirren to earn four pointsBut the following day Rangers lost to Ross County for the first time in the league and followed suit Draw in Dundee.

After a three-game run in the league without a win, Rangers beat St Mirren, Celtic restored their three-point cushion at the top with victory in Dundee.

Celtic look good to retain the title – but good luck if you want to predict exactly how things will go from here.

What do the pundits say?

Speaking after Rangers’ win at St Mirren and Celtic’s victory at Dundee, Sky Sports’ Chris Boyd said:

“Both teams won and it marked another game that Celtic couldn’t drop points. I think neither team was at their best.

“However, Rangers came to Dundee a couple of weeks ago and dropped points but Celtic found a way to win. They leave with a massive three points, with just four games to go.”

Former Scotland forward James McFadden said:

“For Celtic and Rangers – the key is just winning games at the minute.

“Everyone wants to play good football and be the best but ultimately you have to win games.

“Celtic will want to keep that advantage and for Rangers, they have to put that pressure on.”

Ex-Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew added:

“Both teams are playing under huge pressure, there is no place like Glasgow under pressure to win the title.

“It’s not easy for players to perform well under that pressure – the main thing is to get the three points.”

Why isn’t there more of a trophy?

You might think it’s pride here – and yes. However, Champions League football is also up for grabs with this season’s league winners guaranteed a group-stage place and huge prize money: at least £35m.

However, due to the UEFA coefficient rankings, this will be the last season for Scottish clubs to claim an automatic place for a while.

This is because Scotland is outside the top 10 in UEFA’s coefficient rankings meaning that next season’s league winners will have to play a play-off to enter the group stages, while second place will face three qualifying rounds.

Then from 2026/27 it gets worse with just one spot for the league winners who can face three qualifying rounds.

It’s not just to play for the silverware, but for European football and the chance to mix it up with some of the greats once again.

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