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Analysis

Scottish Premiership title race: Celtic visit Kilmarnock and Rangers host Hearts live on Sky Sports on Sunday

Hearts are five points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership ahead of Sunday's match at Ibrox; Celtic are a further point back in third, with a game in hand, and visit Kilmarnock; watch the double-header live on Sky Sports on Sunday from 1pm

Credit - SNS/Sky

This time last year, Celtic were waltzing to a fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title.

Rangers were 13 points behind, and manager Philippe Clement was on the brink of the sack. Hearts, 36 points back, were flirting with relegation.

They say a week is a long time in football; and a year is a lifetime. But 12 months in Scottish football is an eternity.

Just six points now separate the league's top three ahead of perhaps the biggest gameweek of the season so far.

Third-place Celtic head to Kilmarnock, followed by league leaders Hearts taking on second-place Rangers at Ibrox - both live on Sky Sports - with Scotland head coach Steve Clarke a special studio guest!

Sunday 15th February 1:00pm Kick off 2:00pm
Sunday 15th February 4:15pm Kick off 4:30pm

Where things stand after the late, late show

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A dramatic round of midweek fixtures saw late winners from Celtic and Hearts, while Rangers dropped points at Motherwell

Amid the chaos of managerial casualties, boardroom changes and endless fan protests, there has been one near constant - Hearts have topped the table for 20 weeks.

After a dramatic end to the midweek fixtures, that lead has stretched to five points.

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Tomas Magnusson's 88th-minute strike won the Edinburgh derby while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's debut stunner helped Celtic beat Livingston in injury time, and Motherwell's equaliser at the death denied Rangers of a precious win.

So late goals shaped the table once again - as they have done all season.

Winning Scottish Premiership goals scored 85+ minutes

  • Celtic - 6
  • Hearts - 4
  • Hibernian - 2
  • Motherwell - 2
  • Aberdeen - 2
  • Rangers - 1
  • St Mirren - 1
  • Dundee - 1
  • Dundee Utd - 1
  • Falkirk - 1

Hearts' Old Firm run to continue or will Rangers close the gap?

Leaders Hearts are the only team to beat Rangers in the league this campaign, and they've done it twice.

Derek McInnes insists "most people would have thought we would have fallen away by now.".

This is true, but we're all past the point of dismissing Hearts as plucky underdogs in this title fight.

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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes discusses the Scottish Premiership title race ahead of Sunday's trip to Rangers, as he edges towards levelling a record set by Sir Alex Ferguson

Having spent 20 weeks at the top, they haven't flinched in five matches against the Old Firm - four wins, one hard-fought draw, and well worth every point earned along the way.

Their away form in particular catches the eye. McInnes has won at both Glasgow grounds already and is hoping to become the first manager to win three away games against the Old Firm in a single season since Sir Alex Ferguson with Aberdeen in 1982/83.

For Rangers, a must-win? Probably, but we've said that before.

A win takes them within two points of top spot; a defeat leaves them an intimidating eight behind.

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Danny Röhl looks ahead to the 100th game of his managerial career as Rangers host leaders Hearts on Sunday, live on Sky Sports

Considering the margin was considered irrecoverable at 13 points when Danny Röhl took over, a win would represent more than just progress, but an encouraging title-winning trend.

Röhl pointed out "when I look at the form table since I am here, we are top."

He's right. Rangers have won more Premiership points than any other team since his first game against Kilmarnock in October.

However, if this team are serious about winning silverware, then you'd imagine they must land a blow on the side occupying top spot at some stage.

Landmark game for O'Neill as McCann hopes Killie's run continues

Martin O'Neill
Image: Martin O'Neill is set to take charge of his 300th game as Celtic manager on Sunday - live on Sky Sports

Before all that, third-place Celtic travel to Rugby Park to face relegation-threatened Kilmarnock, six points off top spot but with a game in hand.

Historically, this is a difficult venue, even for the swashbuckling Celtic sides guided by Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou - but the champions have won each of their last three there.

Martin O'Neill takes charge of his 300th game as Celtic manager, becoming just the sixth boss in the club's history to reach such a milestone.

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And he's up against an old foe.

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann is no stranger to facing O'Neill's sides as a player, but this is their first meeting in opposite dugouts.

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Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann says his side will be ready for an "enormous" test as Celtic visit Rugby Park - live on Sky Sports

McCann, who was part of Barry Ferguson's Rangers coaching staff at the end of last season, appears to have lifted a Kilmarnock side who looked consigned to relegation.

They've won their last two home games, scoring seven goals in the process as they ended a dismal winless run of 17 matches.

Three teams, two games, one title race - and it's all live on Sky Sports this Sunday.

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