Rangers slipped to third after a shock Motherwell win, now facing a four-point deficit to leaders Celtic and Hearts with just three games left.
Just days after being favorites for the Scottish Premiership title, Rangers suffered a stunning upset at Ibrox Stadium against Motherwell. The Fir Park side, known as key influencers in tight title battles, delivered a five-goal thriller that saw Danny Rohl’s side collapse after leading twice. Celtic had already secured a 3-1 win over Falkirk, while Hearts responded in the Edinburgh derby by beating Hibernian 1-0 despite being down to nine men. These results leave Rangers, now in third place, staring down the barrel of a must-win situation ahead of a crucial Tynecastle showdown with Hearts on Monday.
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has made it clear his team’s goal is to end Rangers’ title hopes in what could be a defining moment at Tynecastle. If we were to win, it would become pretty difficult for Rangers to win the league, just based on the number of games left to play, Shankland stated. If it becomes a two-horse race after that, you’ve got even more chance of winning it. So it’ll be a big game—the build-up to it will be huge. A third victory over Rangers this season would likely dash their title ambitions, while even a draw would leave them needing to overhaul a four-point gap in the final three matches.
Rangers boss Danny Rohl faced a sobering first half against Motherwell as Jens Berthel Askou’s side tore through his midfield and pinned back his full-backs with relentless attacking play. Though Rohl switched to a 4-3-3 formation at halftime and introduced Mohamed Diomande and Mikey Moore, Motherwell’s late comeback sealed a 4-3 loss. The defeat has forced Rohl to question his preferred 4-2-2-2 system, which had worked brilliantly in February against Hearts but left his team outnumbered in midfield on Sunday. His decision may depend on the availability of key players like Ryan Naderi and Tuur Rommens.
Hearts have staked their title push on a remarkable record against Rangers and Celtic this season, winning four of six league meetings against the Old Firm. The last non-Old Firm side to win the Scottish top flight was Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen, who claimed five league wins over Rangers and Celtic in a single campaign. With just three games remaining, a victory over Rangers could eliminate them from title contention entirely, while even a draw would hand Hearts a major advantage going into the final stretch.
Celtic are next in action, traveling to Hibernian on Sunday with a chance to level the top of the table after their 3-1 win over Falkirk. Former striker Chris Sutton believes Rangers still hold a slight edge in the title race, despite Celtic’s recent form. Daizen Maeda’s upturn in fortunes—scoring three goals in his last five games—has injected momentum into the Parkhead side, though they remain inconsistent. A fourth straight league win would further distance them from third place, but questions linger over whether their recent progress is sustainable.
Hibernian fans face a daunting final stretch after losing the Edinburgh derby to Hearts, a result that simultaneously boosted their rivals and piled pressure on themselves. With title hopefuls Celtic and Rangers both visiting Easter Road in their next two games, Hibs are desperate for points to keep European football hopes alive. Currently sixth, just two points clear of seventh-placed Falkirk, they cannot afford another slip-up in a schedule packed with high-stakes fixtures.
The Scottish Premiership title race has entered a decisive phase, with all three top teams facing pivotal matches in the coming days. Rangers must win at Hearts to stay alive, while Celtic aim to extend their lead with a victory at Hibernian. Hearts, meanwhile, could effectively end Rangers’ title dreams with a win at Tynecastle. The standings remain tightly packed, but the pressure is mounting on each side as the season hurtles toward its climax.