What is the state of play?
It has been a rollercoaster of a season so far.
Celtic had been in pole position from the first weekend of the campaign, but in mid-February Rangers found themselves in top spot.
That lasted for a month before Brendan Rodgers’ side returned to the summit by a point after beating St Johnstone – albeit Rangers have a game in hand after their game at Dundee was postponed.
How Rangers battled back into the title race
Rangers were seven points behind Celtic when Clement arrived
Few were predicting a closely-fought title race when Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale at Rangers in October.
He inherited a squad that was bereft of confidence, struggling in Europe and in many people’s minds out of the title race.
Celtic were seven points clear when the Belgian arrived but a 16-game unbeaten run saw Rangers cut that deficit to just five, with two games in hand.
Just before the turn of the year, the champions responded with a 2-1 win over their Old Firm rivals and Rodgers’ side were eight points clear at the summit heading into 2024.
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Highlights from December’s Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers
But Rangers still had two games in hand and won them both following the winter break, while Celtic dropped points at Aberdeen – allowing Rangers to draw level at the top.
When the Hoops faltered again by drawing at home to Kilmarnock, Rangers moved clear at the summit for the first time this season by beating St Johnstone 24 hours later.
However, if you need proof that there will be plenty of twists and turns ahead, look no further than the opening weekend of March. Both clubs lost on the same weekend in the Premiership for the first time since 2018 as Motherwell won 2-1 at Ibrox giving Celtic the chance to return to the top – only for Hearts to beat Brendan Rodgers’ side 2-0 at Tynecastle Park.
The Hoops did move a point clear at the summit in March after beating St Johnstone – albeit Rangers have a game in hand as their game at Dundee was postponed.
Strap yourselves in – this title race is going all the way!
Who is favourite for the title?
If only football was that simple! In December the answer was Celtic, come February and Rangers had edged ahead, but now with less than 10 games to go – it really is impossible to call.
Rangers have four league games to navigate before the split – one more than Celtic – including another Old Firm clash at Ibrox on April 7, live on Sky Sports.
Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic and Philippe Clement’s Rangers are battling for top spot
Clement’s side have taken six more points in the league than their rivals since his appointment. Rangers have proven they will be in this title race until the end and the belief is growing.
The message from the blue side is ‘one game at a time’ but fans are starting to dream of adding to the trophy cabinet and ending Celtic’s quest for three-in-a-row.
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Rangers last won the league title in 2021 – ending a long 10-year wait
However, disregard Celtic at your peril. They have shown in the past they can navigate choppy waters and deliver results amid frustration in the stands.
The champions’ advantage may have evaporated but as well as form, other factors come into the equation. The mentality to get over the line in a title race, playing in Glasgow’s goldfish bowl and inevitable squad issues through injuries or suspension – a lot can change.
Over the last 12 seasons, Celtic have won the league 11 times with Rangers claiming just one in 2020/21 as they stopped their rivals clinching a 10th consecutive title.
Several members of Rodgers’ squad know what it takes to get over the line, as does the manager himself, having won back-to-back league titles during his first spell in Glasgow, including an invincible treble.
Rodgers won two league titles during his first spell as Celtic manager
At first glance, league tables in recent years, such as 2022, may suggest there have been some close battles for Scotland’s top spot. However, in reality, that title was sewn up comfortably and you need to go back to 2010/11 for the last genuine title race when Rangers were crowned champions on the last day of the season.
What the pundits say
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Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton discuss the Scottish Premiership title race after Rangers moved above Celtic for the first time this season
Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd:
“Under Michael Beale, there was too much football played, and I don’t think Philippe Clement looks at it and wants to be the best passing team in the league. It doesn’t really bother him. The most important thing is to win the game of football.
“There has been comparisons with Clement and Walter Smith, in terms of the way they went about their business, and I can understand why.
“Clement’s been over the course and distance. He knows exactly what it takes to win trophies and he’s sensible in what he’s saying, week by week and game by game.
“There will be more twists and turns between now and the end of the season, there’s no doubt about that, but Rangers are in a good place at this moment in time.”
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Sutton delivered a damning verdict on Celtic’s form, describing their performances under Rodgers as ‘bang average’
Sky Sports’ Chris Sutton:
“The fact of the matter is Celtic have messed up and messed up badly this season. They’ve beaten Rangers twice and they’ve let an eight-point lead go, and Rangers have dragged that back on them.
“But we haven’t seen the best of Celtic. We know that Brendan over the years has proven he’s a good coach, he’s going to have to do that again.
“Celtic have got a lot of issues, but it’s about winning the next game and putting Rangers under pressure. It’s not done and dusted by a long stretch.
“You just don’t know what Celtic team is going to turn up. The only thing consistent about Celtic this season is how inconsistent they have been.
“We’ve got one hell of a title race on in Scotland this season.”
Key fixtures and the next Old Firm
Celtic and Rangers will meet next on April 7 at Ibrox – live on Sky Sports
Celtic have three league games to go, while Rangaers have four, before the league splits into a top and bottom half after April 14 for the five final matches.
Following the international break Hibernian go to Ibrox while Celtic are live on Sky Sports at Livingston.
Then, all eyes will be on Ibrox on April 7 when the two clubs meet in the third Old Firm clash of the season – live on Sky Sports. Celtic boast a 100 per cent record in the fixture this season, a run Rangers must end if they are to boost their chances of winning the title.
An injury-hit Hoops side were victorious against Beale’s Rangers at Ibrox in September before Kyogo was the difference-maker again, helping claim a 2-1 win on December 30 in Glasgow’s East End.
As things stand there will be next to nothing between the teams the next time Celtic and Rangers meet.
Rangers’ rescheduled game against Dundee will also need to be played before the weekend of April 13/14 when Celtic face St Mirren before Ross County host the Gers – live on Sky Sports.
Why there’s more than just a trophy at stake
Celtic were in the Champions League group stage this season after winning the title
You might think it means pride here – and yes there is that. However, Champions League football is also up for grabs with this season’s league winners guaranteed a group-stage spot and big prize money: at least £35m.
However, due to the UEFA coefficient rankings, it could be the last season an automatic spot is up for grabs for Scottish clubs for some time.
Rangers beat Real Betis away to win their Europa League group and seal a last-16 spot before losing to Benfica
That is because Scotland are currently in a battle to finish 10th in UEFA’s rankings – which impacts clubs in the 2025/26 campaign. Then from 2026/27 there will be no automatic places, plenty of tricky qualifiers and a huge dent in cash available for clubs to strengthen and compete in Europe.
It is all to play for but it takes a certain mentality to win the league.
Rangers’ form has got them back into the race but you cannot underplay the experience Rodgers and his squad have. It really is too close to call.
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