The Scottish Premiership title race has been blown wide open, and according to Kieran Tierney, the “four-horse race” for the crown may come down to one defining factor: the mental fortitude of those who have stood on the podium before. As Celtic prepare for a pivotal midweek trip to Pittodrie, the returning hero believes the trophy-winning pedigree of interim manager Martin O’Neill and the club’s veteran core could provide the ultimate edge.
While the reigning champions have dominated the Scottish landscape—topping the Premiership in 13 of the last 14 seasons—the current campaign presents a unique challenge. Rangers last tasted title success five years ago, while current leaders Heart of Midlothian are chasing their first league crown since 1960. Motherwell, the dark horses of the pack, haven’t lifted the top-flight trophy since 1932.
The Pedigree of Champions
In a dressing room that has seen significant turnover, the presence of serial winners remains Celtic’s greatest asset. Winger James Forrest has been a part of all 13 recent title wins, while captain Callum McGregor boasts 10 medals. Tierney himself contributed to four during his first spell at the club, and the man leading them from the touchline, Martin O’Neill, famously secured three titles during his legendary first tenure.
“Experience of a title run is a massive thing,” Tierney admitted ahead of the clash with Aberdeen. “We’ve got a captain, Cal, who’s won so many trophies, James Forrest and other boys who have been there in the past as well, so it’s amazing to have guys like that in the changing room. Even the manager himself, who’s been involved. It’s brilliant for us and I hope it helps.”
Breaking Down the “Four-Horse Race”
Celtic usually find themselves in the role of front-runners, but the 2025/26 season has forced them into a recovery mission. Heading into Wednesday’s game away to Aberdeen, the Hoops sit in third place, eight points adrift of a resurgent Hearts side and two points behind Rangers. Crucially, Celtic hold a game in hand over both, but they are also looking over their shoulder at a Motherwell side just two points behind them.
Tierney acknowledges that the novelty of a multi-team battle is exciting for the neutral, even if it adds layers of stress to the Glasgow giants. “It’s probably exciting if you are watching it from the outside,” Tierney said. “It’s probably something that’s not been there for a while. It’s massive, but regardless of the situation, every week the game matters for Celtic. The pressure of playing for Celtic is not new to us, but we are focusing on ourselves, not the teams around us.”
The Pittodrie Test
Fresh off a dramatic 2-2 Old Firm draw where they clawed back from two goals down at Ibrox—with Tierney scoring the opening goal—the squad is in a “positive” frame of mind. However, the defender is wary of the trip to the North East. Despite Aberdeen currently sitting in eighth place and struggling for form, Tierney insists that “Aberdeen away for any team at any stage of the season is a hard game.”
The focus for O’Neill’s men will be addressing their habit of “slow starts.” While the character shown to fight back at Ibrox was commendable, Tierney warned that grit alone won’t secure a 14th title in 15 years. “You can’t just rely on resilience and character. We need to show we can play as well,” he concluded. If Celtic can secure three points at Pittodrie, they will leapfrog Rangers into second place, keeping the heat on Hearts at the summit.
The Premiership State of Play
| Position | Team | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Hearts | 63 | Chasing first title since 1960 |
| 2nd | Rangers | 57 | 2 points ahead of Celtic |
| 3rd | Celtic | 55 | Game in hand over top two |
| 4th | Motherwell | 53 | 2 points behind Celtic |
🗣️ FAN DEBATE: CAN EXPERIENCE WIN THE LEAGUE?
Hearts have the lead, but Celtic have the medals. Does the “know-how” of McGregor, Forrest, and O’Neill make Celtic favourites despite the points gap?
- Who is the biggest threat to Celtic’s crown: Hearts or Rangers?
- Should Tierney start every game during the run-in?
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
