Scottish Premiership: Celtic on the rise as Hearts falter in pulsating title race

The Scottish Premiership title race was blown wide open over the weekend, setting up an enthralling final few weeks that’s guaranteed to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

The most surprising result of the weekend came at Fir Park, where league leaders Heart of Midlothian were held to a 1-1 draw by Motherwell.

That result heightened the stakes of Sunday’s blockbuster Glasgow derby, giving both Celtic and Rangers a reason to go for the jugular in one of the fiercest rivalries in world football.

Whatever hopes Rangers had of reinserting themselves into the title conversation quickly faded as Celtic piled on their misery and closed the gap on Hearts with an emphatic 3-1 victory.

Celtic’s comeback victory was a massive statement that will leave Hearts looking over their shoulders heading into the final two games of the 2025/26 campaign.

Here’s how the Scottish Premiership title race is shaping up after Matchday 36.

Matchday 36 review

Hearts may have retained their grip on the top spot over the weekend, but the draw against Motherwell leaves them in a precarious position in the title race.

They visited Fir Park, knowing that a victory would move them another step closer to a first league title since 1960 and end the Glasgow clubs’ stronghold on the division.

However, they were chasing the game early on. For the fifth match in a row, Hearts conceded first when defender Stephen Kingsley accidentally turned the ball into his own net.

Despite the setback, Hearts responded with the determination that has defined much of their campaign.

Captain Lawrence Shankland brought his side level just before half-time, finishing calmly to restore belief among the travelling support and send the teams into the break all square.

Hearts emerged from the break with renewed confidence, looking for the goal that could earn them a crucial three points. However, they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

That opened the door for Celtic to close the gap further, and they gobbled up the chance.

Daizen Maeda was at the double as Martin O’Neill’s side piled the pressure on Hearts with a comprehensive victory in the Glasgow derby.

Hearts would not have been faulted for hoping for a miracle in Sunday’s blockbuster, considering Celtic had failed to win any of their previous six meetings with Rangers (D3, L3).

However, O’Neill’s side couldn’t have picked a better time to end their winless streak, and they did so in spectacular fashion.

It seemed like the fate of the Glasgow derby was heading in a familiar direction when Tottenham Hotspur loanee Mikey Moore gave Rangers the lead just nine minutes into the game.

But Celtic responded with the desperation of a side chasing their 14th title in the last 15 years, when Yang Hyun-jun turned home Arne Engels’ low cross.

Maeda had been probing the Rangers’ backline all game and finally made the telling difference, scoring twice in three minutes just before the hour mark.

That was enough for Celtic to celebrate their first win over Rangers since September 2024, and it could be the victory that propels them to a fifth Premiership title in a row.

As it stands

Hearts’ draw against Motherwell has certainly invited more pressure, but they’re still in control of their destiny heading into the final two games.

Saturday’s setback halted their winning streak at three games, but Hearts can’t afford to dwell on that result, especially with so much at stake.

They can return to winning ways when they host Falkirk at Tynecastle Park on Wednesday.

Hearts have been at the top of the Premiership table for almost the entire season, so it’ll be cruel to lose it from here. 

Failing to secure a win against Falkirk could all but end their hopes of becoming the first club outside the Old Firm to win the Scottish title in over four decades.

Conversely, they could win the title with a victory over Falkirk if Celtic lose at Motherwell.

However, there’s a decent chance that the title race could come down to the final day when Hearts take on O’Neill’s side at Celtic Park.

If that happens, Hearts could go into that fixture with the upper hand, having won two of their last three meetings with Celtic, although form will likely go out the window.