Mulgrew has made Hearts his favourites but doesn’t fancy Rangers’ chances under Danny Rohl

09:17, 09 Apr 2026Updated 09:24, 09 Apr 2026

Rangers’ James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama look dejected

Celtic hero Charlie Mulgrew reckons Rangers will finish THIRD this season – but he’s named Hearts his title favourites despite previously writing the Jambos off.

The three-way title race looks tougher than ever to call with just one game remaining before the split as just three points separate leaders Hearts from defending champions Celtic in third.

Rangers briefly took top spot for the first time this season at the weekend only to be knocked back off it within 24 hours after Hearts’ draw with Livingston.

Weekends where all three win are few and far between with virtually every matchweek providing a twist or turn in one direction or another. It means we’re set for a hugely dramatic post-split season – and the potential for a mouthwatering Helicopter Saturday on May 16 where Celtic host Hearts while Rangers travel to Falkirk.

Mulgrew, who won five successive league titles with Celts, dismissed Hearts’ chances of going all the way earlier in the season but he’s finally ready to make them favourites.

But despite Rangers recent resurgence now putting them out in front with most bookmakers, Mulgrew reckons they’re on a hiding to nothing in the Premiership.

Speaking on The Breakdown podcast with Ibrox hero Kevin Thompson, Mulgrew said: “I don’t think Celtic will win it… Celtic will finish second this year. There you go.”

Thompson then asked him who wins it if not Celtic, and Mulgrew responded: “It’s Hearts’ to lose.”

That sparked a sceptical follow-up from Thompson who asked: “So you think Rangers will finish third?”

And Mulgrew confidently replied: “Yep, that’s what I think. Hearts, Celtic, Rangers. In that order.”

It’s a change of tune from Mulgrew who has frequently voiced doubts this season over Hearts’ chances of going the distance. Speaking back in December, after Hearts bounced back from a four-game winless run to consign 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.”

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