Hearts have established themselves at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, holding a three-point lead over both Rangers and Celtic with eight games remaining. According to multiple reports, Hearts are three points clear of the Old Firm duo. The team has responded superbly to setbacks this season, according to major media, and have nine games left to attempt to win their first top-flight title since 1960. However, a significant concern is their away form: Hearts have lost three straight away matches, according to multiple reports, and have taken only one point from their last four away fixtures.
Hearts' recent results highlight a stark contrast between home and away performances. At home, they have won 13 games this season and maintain an unbeaten league record, according to multiple reports. They beat Motherwell 3-1, with Claudio Braga scoring the only goal of the game, and defeated Dundee 1-0 thanks to a winning goal from Oisin McEntee. However, Frankie Kent was sent off in that match. Hearts also drew 1-1 with Livingston and lost to Kilmarnock. Their win over Motherwell was their first victory in seven games when conceding the opening goal since August, according to multiple reports. Hearts dominated the first half and had several chances, but their failure to find a second goal meant they had to endure a stressful finale, according to research. Hearts made two changes to the side that started last weekend's victory over Falkirk. Key players Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin are due back from injury next week, according to multiple reports. Scott Allan, a football pundit, said: "Hearts are a lot stronger with Shankland and Devlin." Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland have scored 27 goals between them this season, and Hearts have found the net in 29 of their 33 games, more than any other team, according to multiple reports.
The players should have been told home truths months ago.
Celtic's attacking woes have been a talking point. Martin O'Neill described Celtic's performance against St Mirren as underwhelming. According to multiple reports, Celtic have a paucity of striking options. Tomas Cvancara has scored only two goals in 13 appearances for Celtic, Kelechi Iheanacho has scored four goals in 17 games this season, and Daizen Maeda has gone 17 games without a goal, according to multiple reports. Celtic had lost three times in Dundee this season before winning, according to multiple reports. However, Celtic have three of their remaining five games at home after the split, which could be an advantage.
Rangers have shown mixed form. They won 1-0 against St Mirren, according to multiple reports, and beat Aberdeen 4-1, with Mikey Moore described as the best player on the pitch in that win. However, Rangers have drawn three of their past four league outings, according to multiple reports, and were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Celtic. Rangers and Celtic drew 2-2 at Ibrox on Sunday, according to research. Rangers have two home games after the split. Peter Lovenkrands, a Rangers pundit, said: "You don't have to play well to go away and get the result."
You don't have to play well to go away and get the result.
Aberdeen are in a relegation battle, three points clear of the relegation play-off spot, according to multiple reports. Their eight-point gap over the relegation play-off spot has been wiped out in a week, according to multiple reports. Stephen Robinson gave the Aberdeen players a 'bollocking' after a 4-1 defeat to Rangers, according to Kevin Nisbet. Robinson said: "The players should have been told home truths months ago." Aberdeen are eighth, a point off Dundee United and 13 points behind sixth-placed Falkirk, according to research. The win all but ended Aberdeen's hopes of a top six finish, according to research. Aberdeen are only three points clear of St Mirren and Kilmarnock, according to multiple reports. Their next match is away at St Mirren. Aberdeen interim manager Peter Leven made three changes to the side that started Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Dundee United, according to research. Aberdeen had not won at Tynecastle since May 2017, according to research. Leven said: "Aberdeen lacked quality in the final third and claimed a penalty should have been given for a foul on Stuart Armstrong."
Historical context shows that three-team title races are rare in the Scottish Premiership. Three teams were last in contention in the 1997-98 campaign, according to multiple reports. In that season, Celtic triumphed after Hearts fell away. In 1993-94, Rangers won the league, finishing three clear of Aberdeen and four ahead of Motherwell. In 1983, Dundee United finished one point clear of both Celtic and Aberdeen. The team leading the Premiership at the split has gone on to win the title every year since 2009, according to multiple reports.
Hearts are a lot stronger with Shankland and Devlin.
Other teams in the league include Kilmarnock, who have won back-to-back games, according to multiple reports, and St Mirren, who won away at Falkirk. Amar Fatah scored for Dundee United in a 4-2 loss to Rangers, according to other reports. Fatah has nine goals and four assists in 33 matches this season, is on loan to Dundee United from French club Troyes until summer, previously had loans at Lommel SK in Belgium and Willem II in the Netherlands, and left AIK for Troyes in 2022. Dundee United is seventh in the Scottish league, while Rangers top the table, according to other reports.
Several unknowns remain. The exact nature and severity of Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin's injuries are not yet clear. It remains to be seen whether Hearts can maintain their title challenge given their poor away form. Celtic must resolve their striking issues in the remaining matches. Aberdeen face a battle to avoid relegation under Stephen Robinson. The split will affect the title race, as the different home and away game allocations could prove decisive.
Aberdeen lacked quality in the final third and claimed a penalty should have been given for a foul on Stuart Armstrong.