Have Old Firm wrested title momentum away from Hearts?

It feels like every weekend brings a new twist in the Scottish Premiership title race, and this was no different.

“- Published It feels like every weekend brings a new twist in the Scottish Premiership title race, and this was no different”

BBC

After Celtic got the better of fourth-placed Motherwell on Saturday, leaders Hearts slipped up at Kilmarnock and Rangers took advantage in Sunday's lunch time kick-off with a 1-0 win at St Mirren.

BBC

Scotland's top three are now separated by just three points with eight matches left in the best title race in a generation.

This type of tightly fought pursuit is not unprecedented in Scotland, but it has been a long time since three teams were last in contention going down the final stretch.

The same three clubs were in the mix in the 1997-98 campaign, with Celtic eventually triumphing after Hearts fell away.

Four years prior, with two points for a win, Rangers won the league, finishing three clear of Aberdeen and four ahead of Motherwell.

BBC

And back in 1983, Dundee United finished one point clear of both Celtic and Aberdeen.

Outsiders might assume the Old Firm will now run away with things, given their historic dominance, but it is not quite that simple.

“- Published It feels like every weekend brings a new twist in the Scottish Premiership title race, and this was no different”

BBC

The top three still have to play each other after the league splits and Derek McInnes' Hearts side have responded superbly to any setbacks this season.

Still, the pressure has not yet been ramped up to the current levels and it remains to be seen who will cope best under such conditions.

For all their struggles this season - both on and off-field - Celtic appear to be hitting form at the right time.

Under interim manager Martin O'Neill, the Parkhead outfit won away in Stuttgart in the Europa League, drew 2-2 at Rangers in the league before knocking their Glasgow rivals out of the Scottish Cup on penalties.

BBC

They then saw off the challenge of Motherwell in front of their own fans on Saturday, no mean feat given the way Jens Berthel Askou has got the Steelmen playing this term.

"Right now, Celtic have the better momentum of the three," Lovenkrands said.

"With [Hearts] losing three away games in a row and Celtic closing the gap, Hearts are in a tough position."

"Rangers have got the better fixtures in the next two games, so it could go anywhere."