Scott Brown sees 'crazy' end to Rangers, Celtic and Hearts title race as finest of margins could settle battle

Celtic hero Scott Brown reckons the Premiership title race could be decided by goal difference - as his former side hold a key advantage over Rangers and Hearts.

The Jambos in first drew against Livingston while Rangers defeated Dundee United to remain second as Celtic in third defeated Dundee. It means the top three are separated by just a game, as Hearts have a +28 goal difference, the Light Blues hold +32 and the defending champions sit with +23.

Those fine margins could be all the difference according to ex-Parkhead skipper Brown, as he senses Rangers’ trip to Falkirk as the hardest match in terms of the title race this weekend, while Celtic host St Mirren and Hearts take on Motherwell. Home matches for Martin O’Neill’s side against both of their direct rivals are also noted as factors that could swing the title in the way of Parkhead.

Scott Brown on Premiership title race

Speaking on Sportsound, Brown said: "For me the hardest one this weekend is Falkirk because they are a really good team. On that astroturf pitch as well, teams find it hard going there. I've been there, done that, you always want to play on grass because the ball moves quicker. Falkirk are having a great season and John McGlynn has done such a fantastic job there.

“The way they set up, they have good power and a lot of youngsters in that team as well. It's going to be a really hard place for Rangers to go. They will have to fancy themselves as well because their manager has come out and said if they win every game they will win the league. All the managers will be saying the same thing.

"Celtic will probably have two home games, against Hearts and Rangers after the split, so that's a huge positive for them because they are really strong at Parkhead. Having two home games against your top two rivals is really good. It's exciting and it could even go down to goal difference, which is crazy.

What advantage do Celtic hold in the Premiership title race?

"But Celtic will think if they can win that game at home against Hearts they will be in the driving seat. Martin talked about the spirit and that was exceptional, you could see the togetherness in them. The fans spurred them on at Dundee and that's so important.

"Sometimes you don't play well, and for large periods of the second half Celtic didn't play well. But you have to find ways to win games and that's what they did. The Hearts result pushed them on a bit as well, that's probably why they came out in the first half at 100 mph to get the goal."

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