Who is going to win the Scottish Premiership as 3 way title race draws to a close.

The English Premier League title race may be the focus of much attention for many football fans, but in Scotland, a title battle that may be one of the most exciting and closely fought in Europe in recent years is also coming to a dramatic conclusion.

1985 is the last time anyone else but one of the 2 Glasgow giants, Celtic or Rangers, lifted the biggest prize in Scottish football. That year it was Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen side that triumphed, and this season Derek McInnes’ Hearts team may be on the cusp of upsetting Scottish football’s duopoly.

What’s going on in the Title Race?

For many weeks now it has been a 3-horse race with Hearts, Celtic and Rangers all battling for the championship. Rangers were 13 points behind Hearts when Danny Rohl took over in October 2025, but a run of form saw them catapult themselves into the title picture. They have lost form at the worst possible time, though, and now find themselves 7 points behind Hearts with just three games to go. Back-to-back losses to Motherwell and Hearts have ended Rohl’s chances of guiding the Ibrox club to their first title in 5 years, but they can still have a major say in the title’s destination this season.

That is because the final Old Firm clash of the season between Celtic and Rangers takes place on May 10th with Martin O’Neill’s Celtic team now the only challengers to Hearts. Celtic have endured a turbulent season on and off the pitch, with both Brendan Rodgers and his successor, Wilfried Nancy, leaving the managerial hot seat during the campaign. Martin O’Neill stepped in after Rodgers’ controversial departure and has done so again since Nancy’s embarrassingly short one-month reign ended in early January.

Celtic have been playing catch-up for most of the season, but the other two sides have never been able to totally dismiss their title hopes, and they now find themselves in 2nd place, just 3 points behind with three games to go. They do also have a 5-goal deficit to make up in the goal difference standings, but remarkably, after the season they have had, the title race is effectively in their own hands.

What about the Leaders?

Hearts have been the surprise package all season. At times they have looked like folding under the pressure of trying to win their first title since 1960, but with just 3 games to go, they find themselves 3 points clear at the top. They currently sit on 76 points after 35 matches, their famous 2-1 win over Rangers on May 4th effectively ending Rangers’ chances of catching them. It showed that McInnes’ team have what it takes in big games, something that has been levelled against them this season.

They now have 3 huge games to go with a potential title decider against Celtic to come at Celtic Park on May 16th. Win all 3 and they are guaranteed to become the first team in a generation other than Celtic or Rangers to lift the biggest title in Scottish football.

What Matches are Left?

As has been said, the two main challengers both have three games to go in their 2025/26 seasons.

The leaders travel to Motherwell, who have had a great season under Jens Berthel Askou, the Danish coach who is potentially in the running to become Celtic’s full-time head coach in the summer. Motherwell held Hearts scoreless in a 0-0 draw the last time the leaders visited Fir Park, but Hearts did beat Askou’s team 3-1 in Tynecastle in early April. They then host Falkirk, who currently sit 6th in the table, at home on May 13th before heading to Celtic Park on May 16th for what could be an historic day for the Edinburgh club.

Celtic, for their part, welcome fierce rivals Rangers to Celtic Park on May 10th. Rangers are effectively out of the title race but can still dent Celtic’s chances with an away win. Should Rangers lose, they will be looking at only Europa League qualification come the end of the season. In fact, should they finish 3rd and Celtic lose the upcoming Scottish Cup final, Rangers would only qualify for the UEFA Conference League next season.

Celtic then face an away trip to Motherwell before welcoming Hearts to Celtic Park on May 16th for what could be a title decider.

Conclusion

The three-way battle for the Scottish Premiership has quickly become a two-horse race between Celtic and Hearts in recent days. Hearts have benefited from a link-up with Brighton owner Tony Bloom and have for much of the season looked like potential winners, but Celtic have just not gone away despite the up and down nature of their campaign.

If Hearts win, they will be worthy champions, but if they don’t and Celtic claim the spoils, the question will be whether Hearts will get as good a chance again to end their title drought. Celtic with a full-time boss will surely not be as bad next season, and if they win it this year, it could be bad news for any would-be challengers.

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