Scathing Rangers title prediction leads Celtic icon to backtrack on Hearts' silverware chances as Ibrox resurgence played down
Rangers chances of winning the Scottish Premiership title under Danny Rohl have been played down by a former Celtic defender
Charlie Mulgrew has played down Rangers recent resurgence under Danny Rohl by suggesting they will finish THIRD in an enthralling three-way Premiership title race.
And the former Celtic defender has made Hearts his new favourites to lift the trophy despite previously writing the Edinburgh club off.
The battle to finish top of the table has intensified with only three points separating the Jambos from defending champions Celtic in third spot. Rangers briefly hit the league summit for the first time this season last weekend only be knocked off that perch within 24 hours after Hearts' 2-2 draw with basement side Livingston.
With more twists and turns expected over the coming weeks, the prospect of a potential blockbuster ‘Helicopter Saturday’ scenario on May 16 continues to increase.
And Mulgrew - who won five successive league titles with the Hoops - has backtracked on his previous dismissal of Hearts earlier in the campaign but suggesting they are now favourites to finish the job - with Rangers left on a hiding to nothing.
Speaking on The Breakdown podcast alongside Rangers hero Kevin Thomson, Mulgrew admitted: “I don't think Celtic will win it... Celtic will finish second this year. There you go.”
Thomson then asked who will get their hands on the title, to which Mulgrew responded: “It's Hearts' to lose.”
That prompted Thomson to question: “So you think Rangers will finish third?” And Mulgrew confidently replied: “Yep, that's what I think. Hearts, Celtic, Rangers. In that order.”
Charlie Mulgrew backtracks on Hearts’ title credentials
Mulgrew has frequently voiced doubts Hearts' chances of going the distance. Speaking back in December, after Derek McInnes’ side recovered from a four-match winless run to consign axed Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy to a nightmare dugout debut, he said: “I think the Celtic game suited Hearts. They try to play possession-based football against Kilmarnock in midweek, and Kilmarnock had the best chances.
“I think that’s why Hearts won’t stay up there. A lot of the games they play, outside of Celtic and Rangers. The onus will be on them to have possession and go and attack. I don’t think they are a possession-based team. It suits them better to play on the counter-attack.
“It’s only their second win in seven. They struggled against Kilmarnock at home in midweek after having loads of possession – I don’t think they are serious contenders. I think there is a reason why they are 6/1. I am not fooled by Sunday’s game.”