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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

The earliest date Celtic can win the title but Rangers hold hope out of helicopter return

The big screens at Hampden were emblazoned with a message which heralded Rangers in the wake of their Scottish Cup semi-final triumph.

But Celtic know they are still in line for their own day of celebration if they finish with a flourish in the race to regain the Scottish Premiership title.

The current six-point lead isn't uncatchable but they are in an enviable position.

With five games remaining it's advantage to Ange Postecoglou 's side over their great rivals.

The points tally coupled with a significant 19-goal advantage makes them red-hot favourites to secure a success many marked as unlikely at the start of the season.

Record Sport runs the rules over the permutations between now and the end of the season.

What is the earliest date Celtic can win the league?

The league leaders could be only 12 days away from sealing league title glory if results go their way over the next two SPFL matchdays.

Should Rangers fail to win against Motherwell and Celtic defeat Ross County then it would be all eyes on Parkhead in a league decider on May 1.

A draw at Fir Park for Gio van Bronckhorst's side coupled with a win in Dingwall would see the gap stretch to eight points with only 12 still up for grabs.

That would leave Celtic knowing a win over Rangers will lead to a mammoth party in Glasgow's east end and secure the title.

What happens if Rangers defeat Celtic?

A lot depends on how matchday 34 plays out – those being the first post split fixtures against Motherwell and Ross County respectively – but a win at Celtic Park the following week will have Rangers believing they can take Celtic down to the wire.

The goal difference is stark and it would take a staggering run of results for the blue half of the city to overturn it between now and the end of the season.

But despite being up against it, Rangers know if they win their next two league fixtures they will, at worst, be only three points behind Celtic with three games remaining.

Kris Boyd, Michael Stewart and a host of others reckon the game is up but there would likely be a rethink if the next couple of weeks swing in favour of the Ibrox side.

What if Celtic avoid defeat to Rangers?

Postecoglou's way of playing isn't about settling for a point but a stalemate at Celtic Park will likely be pivotal.

Factoring in the goal difference, Celtic would likely need to drop points in three of their other four final league games coupled with Rangers winning out.

(PA)

A win over Ross County and a draw with Rangers would mean a victory over Hearts on Saturday, May 7 leaves Rangers needing to defeat Dundee United 24 hours later.

A tall task for the defending champions and even a win at Celtic Park could well see them needing some of the added drama which served them so well in 2003 and 2005.

Helicopter time?

Unless things go badly wrong for a Celtic team who have won 23 of their last 26 games then they will, at worst, be in a position that sees them needing a win against Motherwell to seal the league title on the final day of the season.

If you offered Rangers the chance to take it to the final day of the season right now then that would likely prove tempting.

Rangers celebrate on 'Helicopter Sunday' (Press Association)

They travel to Tynecastle on matchday 38 - just seven days out from the Scottish Cup Final against the same opponent.

But a triumph over the Jambos at Hampden would pale in comparison to see the SPFL's helicopter hovering over the capital city if an unlikely comeback is secured.

The final countdown

Here are the final five fixtures for both teams competing for the Scottish Premiership title.

Celtic know winning their first three games after the split will see them champions, irrespective of what Rangers do in their games against Motherwell and Dundee United.

Rangers fixtures

Motherwell (A)

Celtic (A)

Dundee United (H)

Ross County (H)

Hearts (A)

Celtic fixtures

Ross County (A)

Rangers (H)

Hearts (H)

Dundee United (A)

Motherwell (H)

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