Rangers title race round-up: Next five games and what to expect in Scottish Premiership drama

Rangers are in the midst of a fierce Scottish Premiership title fight against both Hearts and Celtic.

Danny Rohl’s side moved within two points of Derek McInnes’ side at the top of table on Sunday evening after beating the league leaders 4-2 at Ibrox.

Elsewhere, Celtic scored a last-minute winner against Kilmarnock to move just a point behind Rangers, and the Hoops have a game in hand over the two above them.

With the title race now hanging firmly in the balance, Ibrox News rounds up everything you need to know ahead of the next five games.

Scottish Premiership table

Rangers set for crucial run

Since Rohl replaced Russell Martin at the end of October, no team in the Scottish Premiership have picked up more points than Rangers.

The Gers were 13 points adrift of Hearts when the German came in, and with their win on Sunday, they have closed that gap to just two.

Rohl’s side have a fairly easy run on paper over the next five games, with the obvious exception of an Old Firm derby against Celtic.

DateOpponentLeague position
22 FebLivingston (A)12th
1 MarCeltic (H)3rd
15 MarSt Mirren (A)10th
21 MarAberdeen (H)8th
4 AprDundee United (H)7th
Rangers’ next five league games

Rangers face Livingston before the Hoops come to Ibrox, before then taking on St Mirren, Aberdeen and Dundee United.

Hearts hoping to hold on

Hearts have been leading the Scottish Premiership for most of the season now, but their lead is slowly slipping away as we enter the closing stages of the campaign.

One positive for McInnes’ side is that they don’t have to face a single one of the current top three between now and when the league splits in the middle of April.

The Premiership leaders take on Falkirk and Aberdeen at Tynecastle, before a trip to Kilmarnock.

DateOpponentLeague position
21 FebFalkirk (H)6th
28 FebAberdeen (H)8th
14 MarKilmarnock (A)11th
21 MarDundee (H)9th
4 AprLivingston (A)12th
Hearts’ next five league games

Hearts then face Dundee and Livingston, to round up what should be a straightforward five games.

However, with the pressure building, it is not outside the realm of possibility that McInnes’ side slips up in the next few weeks.

Celtic must take advantage of game in hand

Despite the fact that Celtic currently sit third in the Scottish Premiership, they have a game in hand over both Hearts and Rangers, which could prove pivotal.

The Hoops take on Hibernian next in the league, but that game is sandwiched between a Europa League play-off against Stuttgart.

Martin O’Neill’s side then travel to Ibrox for the Old Firm, before their game in hand away at Aberdeen.

DateOpponentLeague position
22 FebHibernian (H)5th
1 MarRangers (A)2nd
4 MarAberdeen (A)8th
14 MarMotherwell (H)4th
22 MarDundee United (A)7th
Celtic’s next five league games

Celtic then welcome Motherwell to Parkhead in the middle of March, before a trip to Dundee United.

It is a very difficult run for the reigning champions, and could determine whether or not they succeed in retaining their title.