The Scottish Premiership title race enters the post-split phase this weekend as the first of five rounds of post-split fixtures keeps the three contenders — Hearts, the Rangers and Celtic apart. The head-to-head battles start next weekend…
Anthony Ralston celebrates during Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday 19 April 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
These three matches could immediately reshape the table and have a huge bearing on the destination of the title. All three sets of supporters reckon that five wins must be the target to secure the title and while they have to play each other over the coming matches this weekend each takes on one of the other three sides in the top six.
The big question in Scottish football ahead of these games is will one of the title contenders slip up and if so what would it mean for their title changes? Three points for each set of supporters are an absolute must and they’ll celebrate like it like a win on their favourite mobile casinos if their team gets the job done. However we reckon that there will be one win, one draw and a defeat in store for the Scottish Premiership title challengers this weekend.
With just five games remaining, Hearts lead by a narrow margin of just one point over the Rangers, with current Champions Celtic still firmly in touch, three points behind the leaders. This sets up one of the most compelling finishes in decades in Scottish football and perhaps the most interesting title battle across European football.
Celtic v Falkirk – A huge opportunity for the Champions
Celtic begin their run-in at home to Falkirk, a match that on paper looks the easiest of the five ‘must win’ matches for Martin O’Neill’s side. Last weekend Falkirk lost on penalties to Championship side Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup semi-final after a goalless 120 minutes of easily forgotten football.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney look on during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic the next day were also taken to extra-time by St Mirren with both teams scoring twice. Into extra time and Celtic scored an incredible four goals in a seven minute burst that simply blew the Saints away. That goalscoring momentum awaits Falkirk on Saturday in the 5.30pm kick-off.
This clash with Falkirk is one of those games that anything less than victory would be seen not just as a major setback but as a knock-out blow. However, Falkirk are not pushovers. Their season under the guidance of John McGlynn, has been one of the league’s success stories, and they have already shown they can trouble bigger sides. Celtic’s attacking intent and desperation for the three points should be more than enough to see them go level on points with Hearts ahead of the Edinburgh Derby and a point ahead of the Rangers before Sunday’s matches get underway.
Green Brigade back at Celtic Park after ban during the Scottish Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
The atmosphere inside Celtic Park could become a driving force and the two Celtic ultras groups Bhoys Celtic and the Green Brigade have called on their fellow season ticket holders to stand-up for the entire match and to make as much noise as possible to drive the team to victory. When Celtic Park is like that the team is usually unstoppable.
And in a tight title race Celtic could be doing with improving their goal difference so a repeat of the Scottish Cup semi-final spree could ultimately prove to be hugely significant
The Rangers vs Motherwell – Danny Rohl’s side faces a tricky test
The Rangers take on Motherwell at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon and this arguably represents the most awkward fixture for the three contenders. While not as high-profile as the derby in Edinburgh or as seemingly favourable as Celtic’s home tie, it carries genuine risk.
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is seen during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Motherwell under their impressive and forward thinking head coach Jens Berthel Askou, who is a contender for the vacancy at Celtic Park this summer, has enjoyed an impressive season and has featured prominently in the league’s team of the year selections, underlining their quality and organisation. The Fir Park side are pushing for European qualification and have proven capable of taking points off top opposition. At least the Rangers have the advantage of playing Motherwell at home because both Celtic and Hearts have to travel to Fir Park.
For Rangers, consistency has been their strength in recent months, reflected in a long unbeaten run and growing belief that they can overhaul Hearts. At one point earlier in the season the Rangers could have gone bottom of the table if they’d lost at Livingston.
Now a win over Motherwell will keep them in contention ahead of playing Hearts and Celtic in consecutive weeks.. The bookies currently make the Rangers slight favourites to lift the trophy in the middle of May. With only two from five games at home and having to play both Hearts and Celtic away from home in their next two matches the Rangers can’t afford to drop points on Sunday. The heat is well and truly on!
Hibernian v Hearts – Easter Road pressure cooker for Derek McInnes
The opening pot-split weekend concludes with an Edinburgh derby at Easter Road. Derek McInnes takes his side across the capital to face fierce rivals Hibernian knowing that any slip could undo months of consistency. His Hearts side have been the surprise pace-setters, holding top spot for much of the campaign, but their margin is slender, the pressure immense and this is uncharted territory for the Tynecastle club.
Easter Road has always been a difficult venue, and with Hibs safely in the top six, they have the freedom to play spoiler. The added narrative of disrupting their city rivals’ title push only sharpens their motivation with the Hibs fans desperate to avoid their city rivals winning the Scottish Premiership. This is effectively a cup final for the Hibs fans and manager David Gray, a Hibs supporter himself, knows exactly what this match means to the fans.
Hearts’ challenge is compounded by fitness concerns. Injuries have begun to mount at precisely the wrong time, potentially forcing tactical adjustments and reliance on squad depth. Yet their resilience all season—built on smart recruitment and structure—has been a defining trait.
Expect a tense, physical encounter. Hearts will likely aim to control tempo and avoid chaos, while Hibs may look to exploit any nerves early. Given the stakes, even a draw might not satisfy Hearts, especially with their closest rivals facing theoretically more straightforward fixtures.
A defining weekend in a historic race
What makes this opening round so compelling is how quickly it could alter the landscape. Hearts face the toughest test in a derby away from home, Celtic have a chance to capitalise at home, and Rangers must negotiate a dangerous opponent with European ambitions at Ibrox.
The broader context only heightens the drama. This is widely regarded as the tightest title race in Scotland for decades, with three clubs separated by just a handful of points and a final-day showdown between Celtic and Hearts already looming.
Our Dear Green Place tifo by the Green Brigade, September 2024. Photo IMAGO
By the end of the weekend, the table could look very different—or remain finely poised. Either way, the first post-split fixtures promise to set the tone for a run-in where every point, goal, and moment of composure will carry enormous weight.
It’s football theatre at its finest and there’s bound to be shocks, surprises and controversies along the way. Celtic should win, Motherwell could earn a point at Ibrox to frustrate the Rangers support and Hibs could give their fans an afternoon to remember by defeating Hearts and denting their title dream significantly.
