Celtic’s Rugby Park opportunity, Hearts deserve main challenger status | OneFootball

Hearts won at Ibrox for the first time in a decade, indeed it was their first win in five years over their big cousins, and it had many Celtic supporters all saying the same thing…

theRangers manager Russell Martin during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Hearts at Ibrox on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

That would be, how could the Jambos turn over the Govan Galacticos and we could barely lay a finger on them in a drab goalless draw? Indeed more intriguingly how could Motherwell, Dundee, and St Mirren also do something against them that we failed to do and that was score a goal agains the Ibrox relegation contenders.

Well it’s not exactly hard to explain as if you have any inkling of footballing knowledge, then you will know that not every game is remotely similar and different outcomes do occur from time to time.

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland celebrates his second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Hearts at Ibrox on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

In my opinion we missed a golden opportunity to beat a bang average Ibrox side on their own turf, but at the same time due to our current circumstances at the time, a point was well within acceptable.

The Ibrox side also happen to raise their game when faced with the green and white hoops, and on that day a fortnight ago they altered their tactics to thwart the champions in a game they could ill afford to lose. Presumably they reverted back to the manager’s plan yesterday in what is surely going to be his last game in charge.

Heart of Midlothian’s Lawrence Shankland celebrates his second goal with his teammates after the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Hearts at Ibrox on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

The bigger picture in the league is that if Celtic can win today we’ll be joint top with Hearts having been to Pittodrie, Ibrox and Rugby Park, three of the toughest away fixtures in the calendar. Yes, Hearts merit the status of title contenders, just as Aberdeen did in the early stages until Celtic hit them for six on the Premier Sports Cup semi-final and after that they couldn’t get a sniff of three points.

Hearts manager Derek McInnes celebrates after the Scottish Premiership match between theRangers and Hearts at Ibrox on September 13, 2025. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

Hearts might be different, who knows at this stage but Celtic with a win today will have a nine points lead over theRangers which is a significant advantage, especially as it was believed that of the two Glasgow clubs Celtic had the tougher start.

Here’s the Celtic team news for the fast approaching 3pm kick-off at Rugby Park.

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