Lawrence Shankland has outlined how he and Hearts aim to end Rangers’ title bid and why Celtic remain in control of the race.
The upcoming fixture between Hearts and Rangers has been labelled as decisive for the Ibrox club, with the Tynecastle forward admitting it carries a “cup-final feel”.
There is little room left for error now with just four games left and every result now carrying significant weight. In that context, the importance Shankland has placed on the Rangers game reveals just how tight the margins are at the top of the league.
And Shankland points directly to the one factor that continues to separate Celtic from Rangers and Hearts.
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Celtic’s experience can define the title race
Celtic remain firmly in control at the top end of the Premiership table just three points from Hearts. That position means there is pressure on Hearts and Rangers with Celtic showing no signs of giving up.
Shankland acknowledged that difference directly when discussing Celtic’s experience in winning league titles. It is a factor that becomes more significant as the season reaches its closing stages.
Teams that have been in this position before understand how to manage games, control momentum, and handle the demands of a title run-in. That experience will be vital as Hearts have not been in this position since 1960 and Rangers have won just one title since 2012.
Shankland’s Focus on Rangers Shows the Real Target
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Shankland said: “It does have a wee bit of a cup-final feel about it. If we were to win, it would become pretty difficult for Rangers to win the league just based on the amount of games left to play.
“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.
“If it’s a game we win, we increase our chances of winning the league. That’s the most important thing for us.
“What Celtic do have is the experience. Obviously, winning leagues in the past, that’s something they do have up on us.
“We’ve had a lot of success against the teams we’re about to play in the remaining games of the season. We’ve got a good points return against them.
“We just need to continue to do that, bring the best version of us, and we can win games, we’ve shown that.”
Those comments place the emphasis on Celtic’s experience on getting titles over the line and ending Rangers’ ability to stay in the race.
The closing weeks of the season demand consistency across multiple fixtures, not reliance on one defining moment. That is where Celtic’s experience will carry weight.
Celtic have already shown they can manage that challenge, and their position reflects it. But the title race is being shaped over the full run-in, where Celtic remain firmly in control.
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