A defiant Danny Röhl believes Rangers are not out of the Scottish Premiership title race, but Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd is now backing Hearts for the top spot.
Rangers blew a two-goal lead against rivals Celtic on Sunday to draw 2-2 in the derby, a result which has left them six points behind leaders Hearts with nine games remaining, while Celtic’s comeback means they are eight behind with a game in hand.
Röhl’s side have won just three of their last six league matches which has seen their title bid stall, although the Rangers head coach reckons they are not out of it yet.
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Watch the highlights from the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic.
“Anyone who has played football knows during a game there is momentum,” he said after Celtic’s second-half comeback.
“It’s about continuing our performance over 95 minutes. If we do this, they would not have a chance to come back.
“We have a six-point gap with nine games to go. I will say again and again, it’s about the final matchday and not today. We will fight for every point until the end.
“Nine games is massive. I totally believe in my players.”
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Dujon Sterling’s handball gifts Celtic late penalty that Reo Hatate puts away to level the score in the Old Firm.
However, Sky Sports’ Boyd, who had been backing Rangers for the title, has changed his mind after the result at Ibrox.
“Hearts have been at the top of the table since October. It is no fluke, it’s not a purple patch. They have been outstanding,” he said.
“I was saying Rangers [are favourites] last week, I’ve got to say now that I think Hearts are the team for me. Rangers’ form, it’s three wins in eight in all competitions. That is not championship-winning form.
“Celtic have been inconsistent as well, Motherwell have been outstanding, might have just given themselves too much to get back at Hearts.
“Hearts have two home games, one of them against Motherwell, two games against the bottom two in the league away from home. I am swaying more towards Hearts now.”
‘We’re not out of it’
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Martin O’Neill reflects on Celtic’s 2-2 draw in the Old Firm and believes his side are still very much in the title race.
Celtic’s game in hand is on Wednesday at Aberdeen, live on Sky Sports, and boss Martin O’Neill still fancies their chances in the title race.
“If you belong to Hearts, you’d think that’s a really good result for them, but even so we’re not out of it,” he said after the Old Firm draw.
“If the game had ended at half-time and after our performance in the first half, you’d have thought we’re a million miles off it.
“Now at the end of the game, in the manner we played, particularly at Ibrox, 2-0 down, to fight back, there’s still plenty of heart and desire to try and retain the championship.
“It’s been a really tough old struggle this season and we just have to dig it out. To still be in the title race, it looked pretty daunting at half-time.”
‘Draw will feel like a defeat for Rangers’
Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton praised O’Neill for his decisive half-time changes – introducing Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti – which sparked the comeback, and said he would deserve all the credit if Celtic go on to win the title.
“For Rangers to be two up and let that slip, it will feel like a defeat. Martin O’Neill will be happy they got a point and maybe with a bit more care at the end, could have got three.
“What a strange game. It sums up both teams pretty well. Celtic were bullied in the first half. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain couldn’t get to the pace of the game in midfield. It was like he was thinking it was a testimonial.
“The changes from Martin O’Neill were really decisive. However bad Reo Hatate has been this season and has been sulking for part of the season, but he showed what a quality player he can be and actually is. He dictated the second half.
“Celtic were the dominant team – 16 of the 17 shots they had were in the second half. Martin O’Neill will be delighted with that recovery. A point suits Hearts better than everyone.”
