Celtic and Hearts could make matters worse for Rangers on Sunday.
On Saturday evening, Rangers dropped points against Dundee, and now Russell Martin has only picked up two points from his opening Premiership matches.
This is Celtic’s chance to go four points clear of their rivals if they beat Aberdeen at 12:30 pm, with ambitious Hearts travelling to Dundee United for the 3pm kick-off.
Normally, when you talk about the title race in Scotland, it’s just Celtic and Rangers getting a mention, but those in Edinburgh are now getting more than a shout-out, especially after Rangers slipped up again.
Rangers falling behind Celtic and Hearts
Following the conclusion of Rangers’ 1-1 draw against Dundee, Ian McCall wanted to note the situation the Gers find themselves in, and how the picture can look by the time the weekend is out.
If Celtic and Hearts earn maximum points, and also win their upcoming respective matches against Rangers, then McCall suggested it’s a troublesome situation for those inside Ibrox because they will then be ‘seven points behind’ their title rivals.
Of course, Celtic are pushing for the title, and that’s who Rangers have to stop, but McCall was also keen to mention Hearts, as he told the Scottish Football Podcast.
“I think everybody is under pressure here, because it’s a new start for everybody,” said McCall.
“I mentioned the points thing. If Hearts and Celtic win (on Sunday), they are four points clear of Rangers already. That doesn’t sound like a lot.
“But if that stays the same, and Rangers have to go to Tynecastle or when Rangers play Celtic, they are playing, and if they get beaten, then they go seven points behind.
“I am including Hearts in this, and you never know, you could include Hibs. I doubt it, but you could even include Aberdeen.
“But if Rangers go seven points behind Celtic after five games. I am not saying that means the league is over, but that means Celtic need to lose three times in three weeks, and Rangers need to win all three.”
When was the last time Hearts won the Premiership title?
Of course, Celtic are the current champions of Scotland, and they have also won 13 out of the last 14 titles.
As for Rangers, they have triumphed just once during that period, and were last champions four seasons ago under Steven Gerrard.
But, as for Hearts, it has been a lifetime and more since they tasted Scottish football’s main prize. Although a certain new investor in Tony Bloom is trying to put an end to all of that.
- Years since Hearts last won the Premiership title: 65 years
- Number of Scottish Premiership titles: 4 titles
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