What thrilling week tells us about Premiership title race

The Scottish Premiership title race is even tighter following a blockbuster Sunday as last-gasp strikes and goal-laden games heaped on more drama in a thrilling tussle at the top.

Celtic’s fightback from two goals down at Rugby Park was capped by a winner from Julian Araujo, the third time in a week the defending champions have snatched a vital strike right at the end.

Rangers twice found themselves trailing to league leaders Heart of Midlothian at Ibrox but Youssef Chermiti’s hat-trick helped Danny Rohl’s side to a thumping 4-2 victory.

Hearts remain out in front on 57 points but their lead has been cut again and they sit just two ahead of Rangers, who are now on 55.

Celtic’s latest late show lifted Martin O’Neill’s side up to 54 points, while the defending champions have a game in hand, away to Aberdeen, over the sides above them.

One quirk of Sunday’s action was that none of the goalscorers from the top four were at their clubs last season, when Celtic were already cruising towards the title.

Sebastian Tounekti netted for the third time at Rugby Park this season, Benjamin Nygren scored his 16th goal for Celtic since moving in the summer and it was January arrival Araujo who clinched three points.

At Ibrox, the scoring was opened by Marc Leonard, who only joined Hearts four weeks ago, then Claudio Braga continued his incredible season with another goal.

January signing Ryan Naderi helped force the first Rangers goal, while Youssef Chermiti grabbed the headlines as he continued to answer critics of his big-money move to Ibrox.

The striker arrived from Everton for an initial £8m but was derided for his early performances. A double in the derby at Celtic Park helped win over some doubters and he has delivered again in a high stakes game.

Jackie McNamara sees plenty to like about the Portuguese forward but says he will need to contribute more regularly in the title run-in.

“The biggest thing is consistency,” the former Celtic defender told the Scottish Football Podcast. “Has he got attributes? Yeah, he can move, he’s physical, he’s good in the air.

“Technically, he’s not brilliant, but he scores a hat-trick, he looked world-class against Celtic in the second half. That was more down to Celtic’s defending and in Wilfried Nancy’s time.

“I think if you’re going to lead the line for Rangers, you’ve got to have that every game. You’ve got have that consistency.

Many predicted the title race would be decided by January recruitment and Michael Stewart has doubts over recent business done at his former club Hearts.

“When Hearts are missing a few players, it’s caused them big problems,” he told the Scottish Football Podcast. “I’m not sure about some of the guys that have been brought in. They needed them to come and hit the ground running, and it’s definitely not happened.

“Islam Chesnokov is one we’ve spoken about a lot and he’s played a couple of games now. I’ve not seen him take a full back on once yet.

“Ageu’s been in since the summer, he’s had injury problems, first start. Hearts are a team that have intensity and physicality, and they’ve got a real threat at top of the park. And I’m not sure that I’m seeing it with those guys. Same with Pierre Landry Kabore.

At Celtic, probably the most significant January arrival was Martin O’Neill and the manager was full of praise for his side’s character at Kilmarnock, comparing them to his successful team from more than two decades ago.

As a member of that celebrated Celtic side, McNamara knows how inspirational O’Neill can be and he thinks his experience will be key in the weeks to come.

“Martin’s main attributes are in the dressing room,” he said. “He’s good at the right moments to get a reaction, to get the best out of the players and I think he’s had the best of the players in his first spell there after Brendan Rodgers and then he’s had to do it again, he’s had to chase again after Wilfried Nancy’s reign.

Rangers have amassed the most points in the league since Rohl took charge of his first Premiership game on 26 October.

The win over Hearts was criticial to maintain that momentum, and the Ibrox side now have the best defensive record of the top three sides.

Rohl took some stick for his team selection in the 1-1 draw at Motherwell during the week, and raised an eyebrow or two when he suggested a point was a good outcome.

But as former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson told BBC Scotland, his side bounced back in style.

“He’s done a brilliant job,” Thomson said.

“He was questioned a bit during the week at Fir Park, conceding late to an excellent Motherwell team.

“But to bounce back against the league leaders, with Chermiti getting his hat-trick, was the icing on the cake.

“It’s going to be nervy for them all. It changes every week. I do think Rangers are in pole position now to strike. It’s there for them.

Victory at Fir Park kept hopes alive of something truly remarkable for Motherwell, though Jens Berthel Askou was reluctant to make any bold claims about his side’s chances.

“The league is not over,” he said. “Whether we are a part of it is for you to discuss.”

Stewart believes it would be wrong to write off a team that has lost fewer games than two of the three above them.

The Steelmen travel to Celtic and Hearts before the split and their form could yet put them right in the mix.

“It wasn’t just a fascinating weekend of games, there was midweek as well,” Stewart said. “You know, it’s been two full rounds of games and Motherwell’s performance against Rangers was outstanding.

“Having drawn too many games could be their Achilles heel but they’ve only lost three. They don’t look like conceding goals, don’t look like they’re going to lose games.

Celtic fan David: “Wow that result just goes to show that Celtic have not given up on winning the title this season. Let’s hope the players respond for the rest of the season. Big games coming up.”

Hearts supporter Mike: “Unfortunately our three high profile signings, Ageu, Chesnokov and Kabore were posted missing in the 45 minutes they each played. We are really missing Cammy and Shanks. Rangers are a different team to the one we beat twice already this season. Playing with confidence and probably favourites for the title. However, we are still top and need to win our next matches before the split.”

Motherwell fan Derek: “I’m calling on all Motherwell fans to pinch themselves. This is absolutely the best time since the Ancell Babes. In folklore, we’ve had this team’s exploits passed down through the generations. Even the Willie Pettigrew years can’t beat this. A trophy would be the icing on the cake. Take a bow, Jens Berthel Aaskou.”

Rangers supporter Chris: “We have played two of the form teams this week and finished it closer to the top of table than we started. The second half performance against Hearts was as good as we have played this season. But I think the season will likely go down to the wire. They are all big games now.”

Hearts fan Frank: “To keep our challenge up we need to dispatch Falkirk and Aberdeen next – two of the few clubs who have beaten us this season. Realistically, we are punching above our weight and need the Old Firm to lose nerve, but under their new managers I don’t think that’s likely.

“I’ve enjoyed the ride so far but have never got carried away. If you’d told me at the beginning of the season that we would be disappointed with third place I’d have laughed out loud.”

Rangers fan Elaine: “At last! A team with some fight about them. Brilliant to see big Youssef Chermitti getting his hat-trick. Now we can believe we are in a title race. If we hadn’t gifted Hearts two goals, they never looked like scoring. Now we hunt!”

Celtic fan Henry: “Fantastic result at a tricky venue, we have a game in hand and are only three points behind the league leaders. Celtic can still win this league. All the supporters need to get behind the team and stop all this ‘sack the board’ nonsense.”