Against all expectations, Edinburgh side Hearts have led the way in the Scottish Premiership for much of the 2025/26 campaign. Much like with Leicester City in the English top flight back in 2015/16, the majority of fans and pundits have been predicting that it can’t last for most of the campaign. However, with May fast approaching, it is the Jambos who are still sitting pretty at the top of the table.
Back in August, Celtic were the odds-on favourites as they sought to claim the title for the fifth time in a row. Incredibly, over the last 14 completed seasons, they have only missed out once, when Rangers won in 2020/21 to deny their great rivals claiming an unprecedented 10th championship in succession.
The last time a club outside the Old Firm lifted the title was way back in 1984/85 when a certain Alex Ferguson guided Aberdeen to glory. That is over 40 years ago now and with Celtic beginning the season at odds of 3/10, there seemed little chance of anything changing in 2025/26.
The bookies made Rangers the second favourites at 5/2, while Hearts were priced way out at 14/1. However, with just four games to go, Hearts now boast a three-point lead at the top of the table. They are clear of Celtic, while their goal difference is five better than that of the Bhoys. Rangers are a point further back, but they do have the benefit of a goal difference three better than the league leaders.
Perfect Weekend for Hearts
✌️☝️ Third derby win of the season.
🏰 Edinburgh dominance.
📈 Top of the league.
4️⃣ Four games to go.𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 is what it means 👏 pic.twitter.com/egzEaPbmKC
— Heart of Midlothian FC (@JamTarts) April 26, 2026
Each week that passes by, the chances of a Scottish footballing miracle grow ever stronger. Okay, the 14/1 Hearts began the season at is hardly comparable to Leicester’s 5,000/1 upset. But given the historical context of Scottish football and the huge difference between the budgets of Celtic and Hearts, it is still hard to believe that Derek McInnes’s men are still in the mix.
As said, in fact, they are rather more than in the mix, and their position was strengthened after an incredible weekend for them and their supporters. Due to the split format used in the SPL, and the fact that Hearts are in the top sextet along with Celtic, Rangers and local rivals Hibs, almost every game is massive.
However, the latest round of matches saw the title underdogs (that all neutrals are cheering on) travel over the city to play Hibernian. Hearts trailed 1-0 after just seven minutes but were given a lifeline when the hosts were reduced to 10 men just seven minutes later.
Hibs defended resolutely as their great rivals threw everything at them. However, they were reduced to nine men when Felix Passlack collected two yellow cards in quick succession, either side of the interval. Even so, they defended bravely, getting everyone behind the ball, only to be undone by an own goal after 65 minutes.
The away side knew that a win was on the cards, but Hibs stuck to their task, and as the game entered the final five minutes, it seemed the rivals might play out a draw. However, in the 86th Sabah Kerjota, who had been lively off the bench, did well down the right and pulled the ball back for fellow sub Blair Spittal. The journeyman midfielder chose a fine time to score his first goal of the campaign and slotted home well, sending the away fans wild.
It was a magnificent and possibly crucial victory, especially in light of the events that took place in the earlier game. Rangers began the season very slowly, winning just one of their first eight league games. However, since Danny Rohl took over, they have been sensational and they have steadily moved up the table.
They came into a home clash against Motherwell unbeaten in 16 league games, knowing that a win would, temporarily at least, send them top of the pile. They were the better side, and yet after 50 minutes, they were 2-0 down and in big trouble. By the 70th minute, it was 2-2, and surely there was only to be one winner?
Motherwell didn’t quite read the script, though. And in the 90th minute, Emmanuel Longelo, a West Ham youth product, scored his second goal of the game to give his side all three points. It was a goal celebrated just as much by Hearts and Celtic fans as by those of Motherwell, and could prove terminal to Rangers’ title bid.
Can Hearts Do It?
With Celtic having won 3-1 at home against bottom-of-the-pile Falkirk on Saturday, the pressure was heaped onto the other two title challengers who played a day later. It looked for a long time like both were going to crumble in the face of that pressure, but in the end, Hearts found a way to get over the line, as they have so many times already this term.
They now face four more huge tests, including Rangers at home (next), and Celtic away, on the final day of the season. There is a chance that they could even lose that clash at Celtic Park and still win the league, but the bookies make the Bhoys the slight favourites for the title. Celtic are currently 5/4, with Hearts a shade longer at 11/8, although some firms make the Edinburgh side the very slight favourites. It promises to be a brilliant end to a brilliant season in the Scottish top flight.
