With just five games remaining before the Scottish Premiership split, the race for the top six is reaching a fever pitch.
While Rangers and runaway league leaders Celtic are already assured of their places in the upper half, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Dundee United, and Heart of Midlothian currently occupy the remaining spots.
But with St Mirren and Motherwell still in contention, the battle is far from over.
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson remains hopeful his side can mount a late push despite a tough run-in, starting with a daunting home clash against Celtic this weekend.
However, the Buddies boss is encouraged by the fact that their next four fixtures are against teams currently below them in the table.
“We’ll be fighting for the next five games to still try and get into the top six,” said Robinson, whose side has finished in the top half in each of the last two seasons.
“It would be a bonus for the football club. To do it three years in a row would be incredible. Injuries may be taking their toll a little bit at times with players unavailable, but we’re still hanging in there. We’re still in and about the top six.
“Credit to this group of players, I have nothing but applause for them. They’ll respond again on Saturday and we’ll give everything we have to try and get results.”
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Motherwell, now under the management of Michael Wimmer, meanwhile, reignited their hopes with a much-needed midweek victory over Dundee, and they’ll need a strong finish to break into the top six.
With a tough schedule ahead including games against Rangers, Aberdeen, and Hearts, the Steelmen face an uphill battle, but the unpredictability of the Premiership means anything is possible.
Despite Celtic already pulling away in the title race, the fight for top-six spots ensures a thrilling conclusion to the 2024-25 season. With so many teams still in the mix, every point and goal will be crucial throughout the final stretch.
Final Five Fixtures Before the Split
Aberdeen: Dundee United (H), St Johnstone (A), Motherwell (H), Ross County (A), Rangers (H)
Hibernian: Hearts (H), Kilmarnock (A), St Johnstone (H), Rangers (A), Dundee (H)
Hearts: Hibernian (A), Ross County (H), Celtic (A), Dundee United (H), Motherwell (A)
St Mirren: Celtic (H), Motherwell (A), Kilmarnock (H), Dundee (A), Ross County (H)
Motherwell: Rangers (A), St Mirren (H), Aberdeen (A), Kilmarnock (A), Hearts (H)
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There’s still so much at stake and margins so tight as these final five fixtures will decide who finishes in the top half, competing for European spots, and who will face a tense scrap in the bottom six.
The Premiership split always delivers drama, and this season looks set to be no different.
