Old Firm ‘buckle under pressure’ as incredible title race twists againImage source, SNSImage caption, Celtic and Rangers both dropped points on Sunday after wins for leaders Hearts and in-form Motherwell 24 hours earlierByGeorge O’NeillBBC Sport ScotlandPublished45 minutes ago”The two teams from Glasgow have buckled under the pressure.”That was the assessment of former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart after the Scottish Premiership title race delivered yet another weekend of high drama. With Rangers held to a 2-2 draw at bottom club Livingston and defending champions Celtic beaten at home by Hibernian on Sunday, Hearts boss Derek McInnes must have been watching on with a big grin.Having eked out a narrow win over Falkirk 24 hours earlier his side now lead Rangers by four points and Celtic – who have played a game fewer than the teams above them – by six with 10 matches left.The other big winners over the weekend were fourth-placed Motherwell, with their 5-0 thumping of St Mirren.Jens Berthel Askou’s side also have a game in hand on the top two, trailing Hearts by 10 points.They have only conceded three goals in their past 15 matches and lost once in 19, all while playing the most expansive football in the top flight. “Motherwell win emphatically, Hearts win as well and that applies pressure,” Stewart mentioned.”The two teams from Glasgow have buckled under the pressure.”It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Motherwell could finish above Celtic or Rangers, maybe both of them.”Celtic and Rangers could be third and fourth in the table.”Next weekend follows a similar pattern as Hearts and Motherwell play at home on Saturday – against Aberdeen and Dundee United respectively – before Rangers host Celtic in the derby on Sunday.Motherwell could be just one point behind Celtic by then, while Hearts could be seven clear of Rangers and nine above Martin O’Neill’s side.”It looks like Hearts are the team that can only throw it away,” former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner mentioned. “They are in an unbelievable position.”Stewart added: “Everything is on the line. The permutations from all these games are incredible. That’s what makes this season so exciting.”Podcast: Reaction to day of title drama as Celtic lose & Rangers draw22/02/2026Listen on Sounds
