A traditional power and an upstart contender are leading a tense competition that could go down to the final day
The 12-team division splits into two groups of six for the final five matches of the season, with each team playing every other team in their group once. This creates some nail-biting tension down the stretch, as the relegation rivals face each other, as do the title challengers. It also satisfies TV broadcasters, who now get four Old Firm league derbies to broadcast every year.
The problem is that until this season, the split hasn’t generated much in the way of title excitement because Celtic or Rangers (usually Celtic) have already disappeared over the horizon by then. This season, though, the format has come into its own, adding another layer to the most captivating Scottish title race in decades – and potentially the best title race in European football.
When, in his first TV interview as Hearts minority owner, Tony Bloom predicted his team could challenge for the Scottish title this season, the guffawing could be heard all over Scotland, not just from Glasgow. While the Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise owner’s ambition was refreshing, his comments seemed naive. Hearts hadn’t even finished in the top half the season before.
