We have to go back to 2018 for the last time a side other than Rangers or Celtic finished in the top two in the Scottish Premiership. But you have to go all the way back to 1985 for the last time a side other than the Old Firm giants won the title. In both cases, it was Aberdeen challenging the Glasgow hegemony, but in 2025/26 it might just be Edinburgh side Hearts that upsets the apple cart – and the odds.
Christmas is just around the corner and at the time of writing the Jambos hold a six-point lead at the top of the table. They have been brilliant this term and neutrals in Scotland and beyond will be willing them to cause an upset in what has been one of the most predictable leagues in European football for 40 years.
There is a long way to go, however, but if neutrals cannot see Hearts complete the job, they might at least get a thrilling, three-way title race. Over the years, there have been some thrilling title races in Scotland’s top tier, almost always, at least in modern times, involving Celtic and Rangers slugging it out.
The most dramatic of those, certainly within the memories of most fans, occurred in 2004/05, known as ‘Helicopter Sunday’. It derived that tag due to the helicopter carrying the championship trophy having to alter course mid-flight due to the last-day drama. Celtic saw the title slip through their fingers when they conceded two very last goals against Motherwell, meaning rivals Rangers pipped them by a single point, having trailed going into the final day.
Hearts Leading the Way
Under the excellent management of Derek McInnes, who played 52 times for Rangers, Hearts have lost just one of 17 games this term. They have scored for fun, notching eight more goals than the Bhoys and 11 more than Rangers. Even more impressive have been the results they have garnered against the supposed big two.
In September, they won 2-0 at Ibrox, and the following month they beat Celtic 3-1 on home soil. Even more impressive was their 2-1 victory at Celtic Park in December, a win which ended a run of four games without victory. Before that success, a sequence of poor results where they took just seven points from six games, had given Celtic the upper hand.
Now they are very much back on top, six points clear, although their nearest rivals do both have a game in hand. Moreover, Hearts face two huge tests next, with a game at Tynecastle against Rangers on the 21st before the Edinburgh derby at Hibs on the 27th. If they can take maximum points from those two games, that will give them a huge confidence boost and set them up for a genuine title challenge in the New Year.
Rangers Back in the Mix
Rangers have endured some tough times in the 21st century. The new millennium began with them winning their 49th top-tier title, moving 13 ahead of Celtic. Since then, they have essentially gone out of business, suffered relegation to the Third Division (fourth tier) and seen their greatest rivals draw level with them on 55 Scottish titles overall.
This season looked like being another to forget about, but the appointment of German boss Danny Rohl on the 20th of October has brought about a big upturn in their fortunes. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss had a big reputation, and there are signs the 36-year-old might have what it takes to make the Gers competitive again.
They have gone eight games unbeaten in the league since he took charge and now sit nine points off the top. They have played a game fewer than Hearts and, as said, play the current leaders next. If they beat the Edinburgh pacesetters and win their game in hand, we could see a position where the top three are separated by just three points. That is quite a few ‘ifs’, and there is a long way to go in this battle, but it is certainly the closest we have come to a three-horse race in Scotland for a long, long time.
What do the Bookies Reckon?
Much as neutrals and probably fans of both Hearts and Rangers would love to see three clubs slug it out this term, the firms setting the odds see things rather differently. Despite sitting six points off the top and despite their recent League Cup final loss against St. Mirren, Celtic are still firm favourites for Premiership glory.
The Bhoys have now lost four in a row, going down 3-0 on home soil in Europe before the major upset in the League Cup showpiece and a 2-1 loss away to Dundee United. Despite this wobble, they remain odds-on for the title, with bookies pricing them at 10/11. Hearts are next at 2/1, with resurgent Rangers perhaps tempting at 3/1, a price that will shorten dramatically if they can win at Tynecastle on Sunday.
Time will tell, but it may be worth noting that Hearts are the only one of the trio not involved in Europe this term. Rangers will not progress beyond the league phase, but still have two games to play, and all of this might just help bring a huge upset in the Scottish Premiership.