Key Takeaways
- Rangers lost 3-2 to Motherwell and now sit four points behind leaders Hearts and three behind Celtic with only four matches remaining
- Heart of Midlothian beat nine-man Hibernian 3-1 at Easter Road with late goals to stay top of the table
- The championship could be decided by goal difference or last-minute goals, as 27 crucial strikes have come in the final 10 minutes of matches involving the top three this season
The Scottish Premiership title race is heading for a dramatic finish. Only four matches remain. Three clubs still have a real chance of lifting the trophy.
Rangers slipped up on Sunday against Motherwell. They lost 3-2 at Fir Park after losing focus at key moments. The defeat leaves them four points behind Hearts and three behind Celtic.
However, Rangers are not out of the fight yet. The championship will go down to the wire. Next Monday brings a crucial match when Rangers visit Tynecastle to face Hearts. A defeat there would likely end their hopes. A victory would bring them back into the race.
Hearts showed great fight on Sunday. They beat Hibernian 3-1 at Easter Road. The home side had nine men for part of the match but defended bravely. They blocked shots and cleared crosses under heavy pressure.
Yet Hearts kept attacking. They had 23 shots on goal. The winning goals came in the final minutes. The victory keeps Hearts at the top of the table.
This season has produced constant drama. Late goals are deciding matches. Between the three title rivals, 27 important goals have arrived in the final 10 minutes of normal time or in added time.
Hearts have won matches in the 86th, 87th, 88th, 91st and 94th minutes. Celtic have scored decisive goals in the 91st, 92nd, 95th, 96th and 97th minutes. Rangers also score late, but they have dropped five points from winning positions in the closing stages while gaining only six.
This pattern shows Rangers struggle when pressure is highest. They came back from 2-0 down against Motherwell on Sunday only to lose the game in the dying minutes.
Goal difference may prove vital. Rangers lead this category with plus 34, ahead of Hearts on plus 31 and Celtic on plus 26. With the race so tight, every goal could count.
Celtic and Rangers have waited for Hearts to collapse, but Steven Naismith’s side keeps finding ways to win. The champions have experience of winning titles, but this four-game run presents a new challenge.
The season will likely go to the final day. Fans can expect more twists before the trophy is lifted.