Is this Scottish Premiership title race going right to the wire? Last Sunday, despite the fact Jamie McGrath was sent off early in the first half, Celtic required a late winner from Kelechi Ịheanachọ to narrowly beat Hibernian 2-1 at Easter Road. The following afternoon, the three horse race was whittled down to two. That's because, Hearts came from a goal down to beat Rangers 2-1 at Tynecastle; Lawrence Shankland the match-winner.
So, with only three games to go, Hearts have 76 points, Celtic 73 and Rangers 69. The Gers are essentially out of the running, but can take their fierce rivals down with them too. Every game is must win for Celtic at this point; if Derek McInnes' side do beat Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday night, that'll only intensify the pressure.
Well, victory on Sunday would actually be Celtic's first win over Rangers in the Premiership this season. The fact they've knocked them out of both cups rather glossing over this fact.
Old Firm results 2025/26
- 31 Aug: Rangers 0-0 Celtic - Ibrox, Premiership.
- 2 Nov: Celtic 3-1 Rangers - Hampden, League Cup. Kenny 25'. McGregor 93'. Osmand 109'.
- 3 Jan: Celtic 1-3 Rangers - Parkhead, Premiership. Yang Hyun-jun 20'.
- 1 Mar: Rangers 2-2 Celtic - Ibrox, Premiership. Kieran Tierney 56'. Reo Hatate 90+1'.
- 8 Mar: Rangers 0-0 Celtic; Celtic won 4-2 on penalties - Ibrox, Scottish Cup.
Across the five Glasgow derbies this season, Celtic have only managed to score six goals, three of which came in November's League Cup semi-final that they won in extra time. Their most-recent Premiership encounter in March, as the Celts fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a draw in injury time, felt like a win.
So, how common is it for Celtic to fail to win any of their four league derbies in a single season, and have they ever won the title while doing so?
Seasons Celtic have won zero league Old Firm derbies
Season | Points from derbies | Title winners |
|---|---|---|
2020/21 | 1 | Rangers |
1999/00 | 1 | Rangers |
1996/97 | Zero | Rangers |
1995/96 | 3 | Rangers |
1989/90 | 1 | Rangers |
1962/63 | Zero | Rangers |
1948/49 | Zero | Rangers |
1947/48 | Zero | Hibernian |
1946/47 | 1 | Rangers |
1945/46 | Zero | Rangers |
1898/99 | Zero | Rangers |
Note: 1975-present 4 Old Firm derbies were played. Before then only 2.
Throughout history, whenever Celtic have failed to win a single Old Firm during a league campaign, they have never gone on to win the title. This has only happened five times in the four derbies a season era. Overall, the vast majority of the time, unsurprisingly, this has led to Rangers being crowned champions. The sole exception came in 1947/48, when it was Hibernian who secured the second of their four titles.
Well, could the team from across Edinburgh do that this time?
Celtic & Hearts' remaining Premiership fixtures
Date | Celtic fixtures | Hearts fixtures |
|---|---|---|
9/10 May | Rangers (H) | Motherwell (A) |
13 May | Motherwell (A) | Falkirk (H) |
16 May | Hearts (H) | Celtic (A) |
Everything is set up for a straight title shootout between the Hoops and the Jambos on the final day, if Celtic can keep pace before then. Were Martin O'Neill's team to slip up in either fixture before the final day, Hearts can clinch the title with victory at Fir Park and then by beating Falkirk at Tynecastle.
Thus, put succinctly, Celtic simply must beat fierce rivals Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday lunchtime, or face seeing their streak of four in a row shattered for various current and historical reasons.
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