How Could The Next Six Games Impact The Title Race?

After a world wind Sunday in the Scottish Premiership, the title race has well and truly sprung into action as league leaders Hearts had their lead at the top of the table cut down to four. With their eventful 2-2 draw against Celtic halting their chance to extend their lead, Rangers have managed to crawl their way back into it as they jumped to second with a victory over Dundee.

With Hearts having led the Scottish Premiership for the majority of the season, the idea of the Edinburgh side finally breaking the deadlock and winning the league title was beginning to set in for Scottish fans. However, with new changes to both Old Firm sides and a turn in form, it looks to be an exciting fight for the title.

Upon examining the next six matches for each title challenger, how could these upcoming fixtures impact the title race?

Hearts Remain Top, But For How Long

Position - 1st

Next six matches - Dundee United, St. Mirren, Hibernian, Rangers, Falkirk, Aberdeen

Since the arrival of Derek McInnes at Tynecastle in the summer, it has been nothing short of plain sailing in the league for Hearts as they continue to prove everyone wrong by leading the league table. Although many will claim a lot of it is down to the helping hand of Tony Bloom and his Jamestown Analytics scouting system, to dismiss the performances of this Hearts side would be unfair, considering their current position and how strong they have been this season.

Looking ahead to their next six fixtures, these matches could make or break a side like Hearts as they look to stop the dominance of the Old Firm. Although struggling in form, fixtures against teams such as Dundee United and St. Mirren would usually insert positivity for a team like Hearts. However, as we have seen in previous seasons, these games are usually the ones which can catch a team out and impact a title charge.

The game to watch out for is certainly when the Jambo’s travel to Ibrox as they face an in-form Rangers side who are unbeaten at home since the arrival of Danny Rohl. Despite this, the last team to beat Rangers at home was, in fact, the current league leaders, a 2-0 victory back in September. Although it will be set to be a contested tie, Hearts can take positives into this game, as they have not lost to Rangers at all this season.

In addition to this, Hearts will have another Edinburgh derby to look forward to as they hope to get revenge for their 3-2 defeat last month. Although they are sitting 16 points ahead of their rivals, a victory for Hearts against Hibs in this fixture can highlight the mark of a champion, especially after coming so close to gaining a point last time out. They will be eager to show who runs Edinburgh.

If Hearts can overcome this set of fixtures, it would certainly help persuade a lot of Scottish football fans that they can be champions and not fall away like others before them.

Constant Setbacks Impact The Hoops

Position - 3rd

Next six fixtures - Falkirk, Aberdeen, Livingston, Kilmarnock, Hibernian, Rangers

It has been a strange season for the current champions. The resignation of Brendan Rodgers, the return of Martin O’Neill, Wilfred Nancy's 33-day tenure as manager and the return of O’Neill once again. For fans in Scotland, no one could have predicted this outcome as the Hoops currently sit third in the league after their stalemate with Hearts. However, since the start of O’Neill’s second stint as interim manager, Celtic look to be getting back to their old selves, and their next run of fixtures could be beneficial for their charge to regain the title.

In comparison to the other sides in the top three, it’s arguable to say that Celtic have the easier run-in in these next six games and could build a lot of momentum going into the third Old Firm match of the league season. Especially with O’Neill coming back to the club, many would predict that Celtic will overcome these matches and continue their fight in the title race. However, from watching them so far this season, it looks easier said than done for the club to get things right on the park.

This isn’t helped either by the lack of signings that the club has made, with both O’Neill and Celtic fans dying for some sort of transfer action. Although the Parkhead side have so far brought in Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara, the announcement of two loans hasn’t excited the Celtic faithful as they hope the club try to spend some money by the end of the window.

Despite also missing key starters this season, the main aim surely for Celtic is to focus on themselves rather than looking to others to help them out. This is a method that has usually worked in the past for Celtic and has ultimately led them to another league title in May. But whether this current squad realise the challenge at stake could lead to the club's downfall, with failure to win the league potentially becoming a certainty.

In spite of this, O’Neill looks to be getting the best out of the players who suffered from a torrid term under their former manager and should manage to claim victories in these upcoming fixtures. Most Celtic teams always find a way during times of struggle. With how this season is turning out, though, it may be one step too far for Celtic to continue their dominance. But for an individual such as Martin O’Neill to be in charge of the club, you can bet that he will give his all for a team that adores him highly.

Will Rohl Momentum Last For Rangers?

Position - 2nd

Next six fixtures - Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Hearts, Livingston, Celtic

Following a treacherous few months under Russell Martin, it was hard to imagine Rangers being anywhere near in contention for the title. However, since the appointment of Danny Rohl back in October, the feel-good feeling seems to be back at Ibrox, especially in domestic football. Throughout his short tenure so far, Rangers have managed to achieve a derby day victory, which has closed the gap on their rivals and also leapfrogged them into second as they defeated Dundee on Sunday.

Despite this, it’s fair to say that Rangers have a trickier set of fixtures lined up for them, with three matches being against sides who currently sit in the top four. However, as we have seen in the past, sometimes these fixtures aren’t the ones that have decided a league title with Rangers previously having won key matches but failed against teams lower down the league table.

It’s a mentality that has stuck with this Rangers side in past seasons and is something that Rohl will want to evaporate out the squad and avoid previous mistakes. Nevertheless, Rangers have shown recently that they are a side that can get results, although fans may feel that the scoreline must merit a performance that deserves it.

One thing that Rangers can boast over their title challengers is their newest signings. The arrivals of Tochi Chukwuami, Tuur Rommens and Andreas Skov Olsen all highlight areas in which was needed for Rangers and shows their determination for lifting that league title in May. Although it is too early to say whether these signings will be the key to title success for Rangers, the fact that there is an intent to sign players in this window shows there is no stepping down from the club.

Rangers will obviously look towards the match against Hearts as their main threat, with a victory over them putting them at the top of the table. However, with a Martin O’Neill Celtic side who don’t seem to be giving up so easily, it’s a test that Rangers will relish at the thought of, as putting aside both Hearts and Celtic will all but surely see them crowned champions for the 56th time.