This weekend could be a memorable one in Scottish football as a first Premiership title in 10 years invites Rangers.
To cross the line – and make history with the first Scottish title victory in chronological terms – they will have to deal with business against St Mirren and hope for another Celtic blunder in a season littered with them.
Elsewhere, there is a massive relegation battle in the Highlands, and Hibs forwards attempt to locate their shooting boots for a trip to Scottish League Cup winners St Johnstone.
Here’s what to look for …
Party time in Ibrox?
After waiting so long, Rangers are in a rush to wrap up the title, especially with a Europa League last 16 matchup with Slavia Prague looming. It’s not entirely clear, however, with Celtic much of the equation despite a chasm of points difference.
So, let’s break down the different results. If Rangers win against St Mirren on Saturday and Celtic draw or lose at Dundee United the next day, the title is over.
If Rangers drew with St Mirren, only a Celtic defeat at Tannadice would be enough to settle it. And a loss for the Rangers – which would be their first of the national season – would keep them waiting.
If this weekend is to be decisive, it would be fitting for the Rangers’ decisive victory to come against the only team to beat them this season.
St Mirren caused a stir with a thrilling 3-2 League Cup quarter-final victory in December, but Steven Gerrard’s side came to their senses with a league win at Paisley later that month, and now the possibility of recovering more – and even smoother -. looms.
Their respective records indicate that the Rangers are meeting their end of the bargain. Gerrard’s men have a perfect 15 league wins at Ibrox this season, while St Mirren have lost all eight visits since their last point ten years ago.
Gloves are removed in the survival battle
While the battle at the top has lacked fierce suspense this season, the struggle for survival at the other end of the table has made up for it.
The relegation remains aren’t much bigger than Kilmarnock’s trip to Ross County on Saturday. The Counties are a better off point and place than the second-tier hosts, but have played one more game, and the outcome of that Highlands brawl could be huge in the final reshuffle.
New Kilmarnock manager Tommy Wright has at least stopped the rot of eight straight defeats – of which only three were under his watch – with a first point in his tenure against Dundee United.
The Rugby Park team also ended their 571-minute drought in the draw at Rugby Park and, although they have the worst record outside the division – losing nine of their last 10 – Wright used to make successful getaways in Dingwall.
In his seven years as Johnstone boss, the Northern Irishman has been undefeated in his seven away Premiership games at County, winning four and drawing three.
Can it be all of Wright in the Highlands again?
Boyle on track for failed Hibs
With Hibs embroiled in a fight for third place with Aberdeen, their forwards chose an inopportune time to disappear.
Kevin Nisbet – possibly affected by the club’s rejection of a January offer from Birmingham – has gone seven scoreless appearances and scored one in 11.
Christian Doidge’s drought is even worse, with the Welsh striker’s last goal 14 games ago in mid-December.
Still, until last weekend, Hibs was on a roll with four straight wins. And the main reason they hadn’t gone to the boil was Martin Boyle. The Scotsman running for Australia has helped keep his home club Aberdeen at bay with goals – five in total, half his season’s total – in those four Hibs wins.
The flying winger must surely be a player of the year.
A jerk was delivered by Motherwell who left Easter Road in shock but deserved the win last weekend, and it doesn’t get any easier for Jack Ross’s men on Saturday with a trip to a bubbling St Johnstone squad who is still riding the wave of the Coupe de la Ligue. euphoria.
Perth’s side did not give up hope of a late smash and placed in the top six. The Hibs could get their singers to find their shooting boots.
Managerless Celtic on a late assignment
The title is long gone for Celtic, so the main game now on the minds of fans is managerial bingo, as a wave of names is linked to the post recently vacated by Neil Lennon.
From Steve Clarke to Rafa Benitez, Eddie Howe and Henrik Larsson to the most obscure – advancing Enzo Maresca and Bruno Lage – the list of rumored suitors is growing day by day.
For now, John Kennedy is leading the ship until the end of the season and he cannot be totally ruled out before the summer reshuffle at Celtic Park.
However, Kennedy, perhaps tainted by the association having been Lennon’s assistant, would likely need a blazing Usain Bolt-like run with a rocket on his back if he was to get the full-time job.
The interim boss made a winning but fragile start last weekend as Celtic clinched a nervous 1-0 victory over Aberdeen and take his side on Sunday to a Dundee United side still trying to sneak into the top six.
It’s a sort of Catch-22 for Kennedy’s men. Anything other than victory will likely see the Rangers crowned champions, while a victory for Celtic would mean the Rangers have the chance to claim glory in their next game – which happens to be the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.
Whatever happens, it should be a fascinating watch.
