View: Rangers get ideal post-split final day as Hearts nightmare comes true

Rangers will be thrilled that Hearts have to play Celtic on the final day of the season, as the Scottish Premiership’s post-split fixtures have been announced.

Danny Rohl and his team have learned how their run-in will work, as they look to get their hands on their first Scottish Premiership trophy since 2021.

They’ll host Motherwell on Sunday 26 April, before taking on current leaders Hearts on Monday 4 May.

Then it’s the last Old Firm derby of the season, as Gers head to Parkhead one final time on Sunday 10 May, before the penultimate game of the campaign at home to Hibernian on Wednesday 13 May.

Rangers’ final match of the season will see them travel to Falkirk on Saturday 16 May, who are indeed Gers’ next opponents, with the two teams facing off this coming Sunday.

Why Celtic vs Hearts final day is perfect Rangers outcome

Rangers have a huge chance to win the league this season, and will kick themselves if they can’t get over the line.

Indeed, many will look back at the disastrous and short-lived reign of Russell Martin and think, ‘if only we’d had Rohl all season’.

However, that’s a hypothetical topic of debate that Rangers supporters may not need to have, as their team have a golden opportunity to be crowned champions.

And, looking at how the post-split fixtures have played out for the top three, Gers fans probably couldn’t have asked for a better final day.

Hearts have to go to Celtic on the last day of the season, and so that guarantees that at least one of these two sides will drop points on matchday 38.

That’s a huge psychological advantage to have over both of those teams, and they’ll also be confident of taking care of their own business away at Falkirk, who currently sit sixth.

As such, if things stay the same as they are now on that final day, then Gers will know that a Hearts defeat at Celtic would mean they only need to draw against Falkirk to be crowned champions of Scotland.

Rohl’s side have a plus-four goal difference on Hearts and a plus-nine advantage over Celtic respectively, and so Rangers may even start that day in this scenario as the favourites to win the league.

So, this is surely a better outcome than Hearts and Celtic playing either a Falkirk or a Hibernian on the final day, respectfully.

What is Hearts’ recent away record at Celtic?

Hearts, at the very least, surely can’t have asked for a worse final day booking.

They will go to Parkhead with every chance of needing to win, and there aren’t many tougher places in Scottish football to succeed in that task than there.

So, what is Hearts’ recent form like at Parkhead, and does it bode well for a potentially title-handing result for Rangers on the final day?

Well, despite winning 2-1 in their last visit there in December 2025, Hearts had lost their previous three away trips to Celtic Park by an aggregate score of 8-0.

Not a great recent record then, and one that makes that final day appointment look even more ideal for Rangers.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.