Scottish Premiership title race: Celtic or Rangers in the driving seat?
A look at the competition for the top spot in Scotland, including the favorites to win the Scottish Premiership, the important games that lie ahead, the opinions of Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton from Sky Sports, the reason that there’s more than just a trophy up for grabs, and much more…
How the Rangers fought their way back into the title race
When Philippe Clement took over for Michael Beale at Rangers in mid-October, few anticipated a fiercely contested championship campaign.
He took over a team that was lacking self-assurance, struggling in Europe and, most people thought, out of the title chase.
Rangers’ 16-game unbeaten streak under the Belgian coach has reduced the Celtic lead to just five points, with games remaining in the season. Celtic had previously increased the lead to 10 points.
The champions answered with a 2-1 victory against their Old Firm rivals just before the year turned, and Rodgers’ team was eight points clear at the top going into 2024.
However, Rangers still had two games remaining, winning the first one after the winter break against Hibernian, before Celtic lost at Aberdeen..
Clement’s side then saw off Ross County to move level with the Hoops in a title race that is set to go the distance.
Who is favourite for the title?
If if football could be that easy! The response was Celtic a few months ago, but it’s practically hard to call these days.
With more goals scored than their opponents, the Hoops maintain their lead; there is still plenty of competition.
Before the break, both teams have eight league games remaining, one of which is an Old Firm matchup.
Despite the occasional annoyance in the stands and the gradual erosion of their lead, Celtic has demonstrated that they are capable of producing significant outcomes when things become difficult.
Rangers, on the other hand, have shown that they are a long-term contender in this match, and support for them is building at Ibrox.
Nevertheless, form is not the only aspect that matters. A lot may alter, including the mindset needed to win a title race, playing in Glasgow’s goldfish bowl, and the inevitable squad problems brought on by suspension or injuries.
Rangers have only won one league championship in the past 12 seasons, with Celtic having won 11 in total, including the 2020–21 season when they prevented their rivals from winning a record 10 titles in a row.
Both the manager and a number of Rodgers’ players have experience winning big games; the manager won back-to-back league titles, including an unbeatable treble, during his first stint in Glasgow.
League tables from recent years, like 2022, could initially give the impression that there have been close races for Scotland’s top slot. But in truth, that championship was already decided, and the last true title fight occurred in 2010–11, when Rangers won the championship on the final day of play.
Christy Sutton of Sky Sports:
There has been a change in perspective. It is visible to you. The belief has developed and is becoming stronger and stronger the longer Clement has been the club’s manager.
Since Clement joined the Rangers, there has been a clear shift in momentum. He is assembling a group of people who are gaining faith each week.
This season, Celtic has shown signs of inconsistency. Their main issue has been that.”
Kris Boyd of Sky Sports:
“This is going to be a full-length title race.
“Clement describes how when he shows up to Ibrox, everyone is grinning. At Rangers, everyone cheers for the squad and expects them to win football games. They sense an impending event.
“They had a bump in the road when they went to Celtic Park and got beat, but they got back on the horse and have gone again.
“Winning football games is the only thing that matters in the end. That is when the grins start to appear.
Between now and the end of the season, there will be a lot of chopping and shifting. There will be surprises along the way, but the good news for Scottish football fans is that we have a title competition this year, something we haven’t had in a long time.
Rangers stole it when they won it, and Celtic had been stealing it for years. Until the conclusion of the season, there will be excitement, even though I don’t think this is the best Old Firm club we’ve seen.”
Key fixtures and the next Old Firm
Eight league games remain between Celtic and Rangers until the league’s five final fixtures on April 13 split the league into a top and bottom half.
It will be a hectic final stretch with both teams needing to fit in a Scottish Cup quarterfinal and Rangers playing in the Europa League knockout round.
When the two teams square off in the third Old Firm match of the season on April 6, all eyes will be on Ibrox. Rangers need to put a stop to Celtic’s winning streak in this fixture, which they own a perfect record in, if they hope to improve their prospects of winning the championship.
After the injury-ravaged Hoops team defeated Beale’s Rangers at Ibrox in September, Kyogo once more proved to be the game-winning factor as they defeated the East End of Glasgow 2-1 on December 30.
As things stand, there won’t be any issues between the teams when Celtic and Rangers play again, but the Old Firm are aware that they need to settle their differences in the games leading up to the match at Ibrox, with one more league match to come after the division.
Why there’s more than just a trophy at stake
You could assume that this signifies pride, and that is true. But there’s also Champions League football up for grabs, with a definite group stage position and hefty prize money (at least £35 million) for this season’s league winners.
That may be the final season that Scottish clubs can compete for an automatic spot, though, because of the UEFA coefficient rankings.
This is because Scotland is now competing to finish in the top 10 of the UEFA rankings. The 2025–2026 season will be impacted for clubs. Subsequently, there may not be any automatic berths available starting in 2026–2027, which would mean a great deal of difficult qualifying matches and a substantial financial burden on clubs hoping to participate in and strengthen Europe.
It is all up for grabs, but winning the league requires a specific mindset.
Although the Rangers’ recent performance has put them back in the lead, Rodgers and his team’s experience cannot be understated. It’s truly too close to say.
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