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Hearts, Celtic, Rangers? Who's going to win the Scottish Premiership this season?

Away from the riches and the bright lights of the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership is quietly housing one of the most exciting title battles in Europe.

1985 was the last the time the famous Scottish league title was lifted by a side other than Rangers or Celtic, when Sir Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen finished top.

The near 40-year Old Firm dominance of the league has led to Scotland developing something of a reputation for title battles that don't often go to the wire outside of Glasgow.

This could be the year that all changes with both the Glasgow clubs in the rear view mirror of title-chasing Hearts, who have as good a chance as any to be the first non-Old Firm title winner in a generation.

Here's how it's all shaping up in Scotland.


Who's in the driving seat?

Hearts sit at the top of the table on 73 points, following a dramatic win against their city rivals Hibernian FC at Easter Road on April 26, in which Hibs were reduced to nine men and Blair Spittal scored the winner for Hearts in the 86th minute.

Celtic sit second on 70 points.


Whats going on at Rangers?

Rangers were 13 points behind Hearts when Danny Rohl took over as boss in October.

They are now four points behind but their own title hopes have taken a hit following their 3-2 loss to Motherwell on April 26.


What about Celtic?

Celtic currently occupy second place in the Scottish Premiership, having leapfrogged archrivals Rangers after Celtic's victory over Falkirk on April 25 and following Rangers' defeat to Motherwell on April 26.

Celtic remain three points behind leaders Hearts, as they won at Hibs on April 26.

Celtics and Hearts face each other at Parkhead on the final weekend of the Scottish Premiership in what could well be a title decider.


What does the league's split mean?

Unlike other top leagues in Europe, the Scottish Premiership splits into a top and bottom six every season after 33 games.

Introduced to increase competitiveness and "reduce the number of meaningless mid-table clashes," the split ensures that those fighting survival, going for Europe or in this case battling it out for the league title will play each other when it matters the most.

Each team plays a total of five extra games after the split, facing each team in their section once and bringing their total games played at the end of the season to the more conventional 38.

So in this case, the top three that are in the title race will all play each other once post-split, with 18 points at stake in all, and nine each when the top three face one another, which could make for a photo finish to the season.

The post-33 game period of the season will ultimately determine if Hearts can go all the way and win their first league title in two generations.


Post-split fixtures confirmed

Celtic will face Hearts at Parkhead on the final day of the Premiership season after the post-split fixtures were confirmed by the Scottish Professional Football League.

Rangers, also in the three-club title race, will be at Falkirk for the third time this season in their final match, also on May 16.

The final Old Firm game of the campaign takes place at Celtic Park in the third round of fixtures -- Sunday, May 10 -- after Rangers travel to Tynecastle the previous Monday.

Falkirk will host Rangers and Hibs for a third time and the Bairns will travel to Celtic Park and Tynecastle for a third time.

Information from PA contributed to this report.