Rangers Have More Chance of Title Than Celtic – Chris Sutton’s Shock Verdict

In a Scottish Premiership season that has defied logic at almost every turn, a fresh and provocative claim has landed like a grenade in the title race. Former Celtic striker and outspoken pundit Chris Sutton has dropped a bombshell: he believes Rangers have a greater chance of winning the league this season than his old club, Celtic.

Yes, you read that correctly. Despite Rangers currently sitting one point behind Celtic and a full four points adrift of leaders Hearts, with only four matches left to play, Sutton insists the Ibrox side are the likelier champions. This is not a hot take from a fringe commentator. This is a man who won the domestic treble under Martin O’Neill and played in the 2003 UEFA Cup final. When Sutton speaks about Scottish football, the room listens—even if they disagree.

So, what is the basis for this audacious prediction? And does it hold water in a campaign where Hearts have crashed the Old Firm party, Celtic have wobbled, and Rangers have shown both resilience and fragility? Let’s break it down.

Why Sutton Backs Rangers Over Celtic – The Key Factors

Appearing on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Sutton was asked directly whether he thought Rangers had a better shot at the title than Celtic. His answer was unequivocal: yes. But why? The numbers alone suggest a different story. After Motherwell’s weekend win at Ibrox, Rangers slipped to third place, while Celtic leapfrogged them into second. Hearts, under the steady hand of Danny Rohl, lead the pack by four points.

Yet Sutton sees something in Rangers that he doesn’t in Celtic: momentum, defensive structure, and a killer instinct in big games. “I look at Rangers and I see a side that, on their day, can beat anyone in this league,” Sutton said. “Celtic, for all their quality, have been too inconsistent. They drop points when they shouldn’t. Rangers, even when they lose, look like they’re building something.”

Here are the core reasons behind Sutton’s controversial stance:

• Head-to-head advantage: Rangers have already beaten Celtic twice this season in league encounters. If the title comes down to psychological edge, the Ibrox men hold it.
• Defensive solidity: Rangers have conceded fewer goals than Celtic in the second half of the season. Their backline, led by a resurgent captain, has been harder to break down.
• Fixture list: Rangers face a slightly more manageable run-in, with three of their final four games against teams in the bottom half of the table. Celtic still have to travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts.
• European pedigree: Rangers’ run to the Europa League final last season has instilled a belief in high-pressure moments that Celtic, eliminated early from Europe, have lacked.

Of course, bookmakers have installed Celtic as favourites to defend their crown. But Sutton, never one to follow the crowd, is betting on the blue half of Glasgow.

Hearts: The Silent Threat That Could Decide Everything

It would be a grave mistake to treat this title race as simply a two-horse affair. Hearts, under Danny Rohl, have been the story of the season. Four points clear with four games to go, they are no longer plucky underdogs—they are genuine contenders. Rohl has transformed a team that was written off in August into a disciplined, counter-attacking machine.

What makes Hearts so dangerous is their consistency. While Rangers and Celtic have traded blows and dropped points to mid-table sides, Hearts have ground out results. They have the best home record in the league and a midfield that controls tempo better than any other. If they win their next two matches, the pressure on both Old Firm clubs will become unbearable.

But here is where Sutton’s logic gains traction: Hearts have not faced the same intensity of fixture congestion or European travel. Their squad is thinner. And in the final stretch, experience matters. Rangers and Celtic have been here before. Hearts have not.

“Hearts deserve immense credit,” Sutton added. “But I still think one of the Old Firm will win it. And right now, I trust Rangers’ big-game temperament more than Celtic’s.”

The key fixture? Celtic vs Hearts at Parkhead on the penultimate weekend. If Hearts win that, the title is theirs. If they lose, Rangers could pounce. Sutton’s bet is that Rangers will be the ones celebrating come May.

Expert Analysis: The Numbers Don’t Lie, But They Can Mislead

Let’s dig into the data. With four matches remaining, the title race is mathematically wide open. Here’s a snapshot of the current standings and remaining fixtures:

• Hearts: 4 points clear. Play Celtic (A), St Johnstone (H), Ross County (A), Hibernian (H).
• Celtic: 1 point behind Hearts. Play Hearts (H), Motherwell (A), Dundee United (H), Aberdeen (A).
• Rangers: 4 points behind Hearts. Play St Mirren (H), Livingston (A), Kilmarnock (H), Ross County (A).

On paper, Rangers have the easiest run-in. Celtic face a trip to Motherwell, who just beat Rangers, and a visit from Hearts. Hearts themselves have a tricky derby against Hibernian on the final day. If Rangers win all four of their games—and they should be favourites in each—they will finish on 76 points.

That would require Celtic to drop points in at least one of their remaining fixtures. Given Celtic’s recent form—they have drawn twice in their last six league games—that is far from impossible. Rangers, meanwhile, have won four of their last six, with their only loss coming to Motherwell in a game they dominated for long spells.

Sutton’s analysis boils down to this: Celtic have the more talented squad, but Rangers have the mental fortitude. In a title race where every point is a hostage to fortune, Sutton believes the team that handles pressure better will prevail. And he sees Rangers as that team.

“Celtic have been nervy in tight games,” Sutton noted. “They rely too much on individual brilliance. Rangers are more of a unit. They know how to win ugly. That’s what titles are built on.”

Predictions and Verdict: Can Sutton Be Right?

So, is Chris Sutton correct? Or is this just another pundit stirring the pot for clicks? Let’s weigh the evidence.

Case for Rangers: They have the momentum of a team that believes. Their manager has steadied the ship after a rocky start. They have a favourable fixture list and a proven record in high-stakes games. If they beat St Mirren and Livingston in their next two, they will put serious pressure on both Celtic and Hearts.

Case against Rangers: They are four points behind with four games left. That means they need help from others. They also have a tendency to drop points against lower-tier opposition—Motherwell proved that. And their away form, while improved, is not bulletproof.

Case for Celtic: They have the best squad depth in the league. Their attack, led by a prolific striker, can win games on its own. They have a home game against Hearts that could effectively end the Jambos’ challenge.

Case against Celtic: They have looked disjointed in recent weeks. Their defence has been leaky. And they have a habit of playing down to the level of their opponents.

Case for Hearts: They have the points on the board. They are playing with freedom and confidence. Their manager is a tactical genius.

Case against Hearts: Their squad is thin. They have not faced this level of pressure before. The final day derby could be a banana skin.

My prediction: This race goes to the wire. Hearts will drop points against Celtic at Parkhead. That opens the door for Rangers, who win their final four games. Celtic, meanwhile, stumble in a difficult away fixture at Motherwell or Aberdeen. The final table reads: Rangers 76, Hearts 75, Celtic 74.

Chris Sutton may be an ex-Celtic man, but he is also a realist. And in a season where the unexpected has become the norm, his bold call might just be the smartest one in the room.

Conclusion: A Title Race for the Ages

Whether you agree with Chris Sutton or not, one thing is undeniable: the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership title race is the most compelling in years. Three teams, separated by four points, with four games to go. Every match is a final. Every goal could be decisive.

Sutton’s claim that Rangers have a better chance than Celtic is not just headline bait. It is a calculated assessment based on form, fixtures, and psychology. It is a reminder that football is not played on paper, but on grass—and on grass, Rangers have shown a resilience that Celtic have not consistently matched.

Will Sutton be proven right? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain: the next two weeks will be unforgettable. Buckle up, Scotland. The title race is just getting started.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.