Scottish football hasn’t been flipped on its head like this in 40 years. Rangers, who started the season with Russell Martin had a disastrous start, while Celtic, first under Brendan Rodgers and then Wilfried Nancy haven’t been any better, leaving a power vacuum that needed to be filled.
Hearts have stepped up to do just that, currently sitting five points clear at the top of the SPL with 44 from their 20 games so far. They’re not out of the woods yet though, with the big two still breathing down their necks.
Celtic have dominated for the past decade, but after the Nancy debacle, it’s not the green half of Glasgow Derek McInnes and his lads have to worry about, it’s the blue.
Danny Rohl has been transformative
The 36-year-old was trying to make a go of it at Sheffield Wednesday, who are currently bottom of the Championship with -7 points due to their financial mismanagement when Rangers picked up the phone.
Severely damaged by Russell Martin’s time at the club, the worst in their history, the board opted to move for one of the highest regarded young managers in the EFL. It was another risk, but one that has since paid off.
Rohl had a rocky start, a 3-0 Europa League defeat to Norwegian side Brann in his first game, but a few wins later, it was easy to see that progress was being made. Even a 3-1 loss in his first Old Firm wasn’t held against him.
Rangers really got their act together in their 3-0 win over Dundee United back in November. Since then, Rohl’s side have lost just once in the league, to leaders Hearts, and are now level on points with Celtic (38).
Win over Celtic set to be a catalyst
The Old Firm is Scottish football’s defining moment. Ahead of their meeting at Parkhead on Saturday (January 3), which ended up being Nancy’s last game, Rangers had one just one over the past decade.
Rangers didn’t get off to the best of starts, Celtic were far and away the better side in the first half, having 11 shots, five of which were on target, creating three big chances, and of course taking the lead through Hyun-Jun Yang in the 20th minute.
Rohl recognised his side were struggling in the centre of the park and made a change at half time, replacing Thelo Aasgaard with Mohamed Diomande at half time, to offer a slightly different dynamic.
Alongside Nicolas Raskin and Connor Barron, they played a flat midfield three, and it worked beautifully. The trio played huge role in Rangers’ first and third goals, so perhaps this is an option for Rohl moving forward.
Celtic still had most of the ball in the second half but couldn’t do anything with it. Two quick goals from Youssef Chermiti in the 50th and 59th minute completely took the wind out of their sails, and there was only going to be one outcome from there.
Mikey Moore, on loan from Tottenham for the season, wrapped it all up in a neat little bow and the comeback was complete. Rangers moved level on points with Celtic, and within touching distance of league leaders Hearts.
Verdict
Hearts are still firmly in the driver’s seat in the race for the SPL title, but history is a hard thing to beat. Rangers are genuinely on the up under Rohl, and with the German openly looking to add reinforcements in January, a title charge is possible.