Danny Rohl dealt fixture list dilemma that could cost Rangers Scottish Premiership title
Rangers could face a serious problem when the Scottish Premiership splits into two.
Danny Rohl has done brilliantly to ensure that the Bears will be fighting for the title, with Celtic also pushing for the league under Martin O’Neill.
After Rangers beat Hearts 4-2 at Ibrox on Sunday, only three points separate the top three, and it feels inevitable that the title race will go down to the wire.
There is huge optimism around Govan that they could win the league for the first time since 2020-21, and the momentum is currently on their side.
However, Rangers have been put in an unfortunate position as they will likely have to visit one of the top six sides for a third time away from home this campaign when the league splits up in mid-April.
Rangers face third away game of the season vs Motherwell, Hibernian, or Falkirk
Rangers will be the only side out of the three title challengers to have played more home games than away games going into the split.
Given they will have played both Hearts and Celtic twice at home by the time the split comes around, that essentially guarantees away games at Tynecastle and Parkhead.
This means that they’ll have to visit one of Motherwell, Hibernian, or Falkirk, who currently occupy the top six, to balance out their home and away matches for the entire campaign.
However, they have already played each of these sides twice on the road, which means a third away game is likely to take place.
- Rangers must play two home games and three away games after the split
- Already played Celtic away once, Hearts away once – They must face both away
- Already played Motherwell, Hibs and Falkirk away twice – They must face one of the three teams away
Sixth-placed Falkirk have an 11-point cushion over Dundee United in seventh, and it looks increasingly likely that the current top six will remain that way.
Given the fact that Rangers already have to visit Celtic and Hearts at the end of the season, an extra trip to either Fir Park, Easter Road, or Falkirk Stadium could have negative consequences.
While it is unclear on how that last game will be decided, the prospect of visiting either of these teams again away from home is definitely not beneficial to their title aspirations.
The Bears dropped points away to Motherwell on Wednesday, which shows how tight away games can be against the top sides in Scotland.
Who would Rangers prefer to face out of Motherwell, Hibernian, or Falkirk?
Avoiding a return to Fir Park would definitely be a bonus for Rangers, as Jens Berthel Askou’s side have arguably been playing the best football in Scotland this season.
However, Falkirk are also a team that definitely shouldn’t be underestimated.
Both games against Falkirk in 2025-26 have ended in a draw, and the Light Blues still have to visit John McGlynn’s side on 11 April.
Therefore, Hibs would definitely be the opponent that Rohl’s side would like to face.
The Light Blues haven’t lost at Easter Road since 2016, and with the addition of the new signings in the squad, they should have enough to beat the Edinburgh outfit.
Regardless, it would be a huge shame if Rangers’ title charge was ended due to the complications of the fixture schedule.
For more in-depth analysis about the Gers, visit Football Insider and have a look at their coverage.