Celtic's upcoming five fixtures compared to Hearts as Rangers aim to disrupt the Premiership title race
The Jambos struck a significant blow against the four-time consecutive champions, Celtic, with an unexpected victory at Parkhead.
Hearts achieved a double over the Premiership champions, Celtic, by securing a win at Tynecastle in October, followed by a stunning victory in Glasgow's east end, derailing Wilfried Nancy's managerial debut.
Although Celtic remains the favorite to secure a fifth consecutive league title, Derek McInnes has presented an opportunity for himself and Hearts to achieve a feat that no manager in Scotland has accomplished since Sir Alex Ferguson, by leading a non-Old Firm club to the title.
Hearts currently hold a three-point lead over Celtic and a nine-point lead over Rangers, having played one more game than the top two teams. The festive period often determines the serious title contenders, with a challenging schedule of games and significant fixtures, including derbies.
Here, Record Sport examines the next five games for the three clubs.
Hearts' upcoming five Premiership fixtures:
- Falkirk (A) - December 13
- Rangers (H) - December 21
- Hibs (A) - December 27
- Livingston (H) - January 3
- Dundee (A) - January 11
Verdict: Hearts' crucial December matches include home games against Rangers and an Edinburgh derby. However, their other three games in this five-game stretch are relatively less demanding.
Celtic's upcoming five Premiership fixtures:
- Dundee United (A) - December 17
- Aberdeen (H) - December 21
- Livingston (A) - December 27
- Motherwell (A) - December 30
- Rangers (H) - January 3
Verdict: Wilfried Nancy's managerial debut will be a true test of his capabilities, with away games at challenging venues like Tannadice, Livingston, and the high-performing Motherwell. This will provide valuable insights into Celtic's performance under his leadership, not to mention the crucial home Old Firm derby.
Rangers' upcoming five Premiership fixtures:
- Hibs (H) - December 15
- Hearts (A) - December 21
- Motherwell (H) - December 27
- St. Mirren (H) - December 30
- Celtic (A) - January 3
Verdict: Danny Rohl will have the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd for three games at Ibrox. However, his two away games are the most challenging, with trips to Tynecastle and Parkhead, where he is likely to face significant challenges.
