Ally McCoist excited for Scottish Premiership title race as Hearts threaten Celtic and Rangers dominance last broken by Alex Ferguson

The Scottish Premiership is a genuine three horse race with Hearts looking to put an end to 40 years of Glaswegian dominance.

Not since 1985 has a team other than Celtic and Rangers, when Alex Ferguson led Aberdeen to the title, won Scotland’s top flight.

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Hearts sit at the top of the table with Rangers trailing by three points and Celtic six behind, but with Martin O’Neill’s return to Parkhead, Rangers legend Ally McCoist thinks the title race is one for the ages.

O’Neill is back in the hotseat for the second time this season after a tumultuous period that saw Wilfried Nancy last only 33 days in charge, winning just six of his eight games and losing to both Hearts and bitter rivals Rangers. 

Off to a flying start, Celtic won the first game under O’Neill, beating Dundee United 4-0.

“Martin coming in for the second time will certainly calm things down because he’s a calming influence,” McCoist told Jeff Stelling on talkSPORT Breakfast. “He’s a safe pair of hands.” 

McCoist also pointed to the positive change at Ibrox, under their new manager. “Rangers have been absolutely tremendous result-wise under Danny Röhl. They’ve got themselves right back in it. And for the first time in a long time, it’s really, really interesting.” 

The German coach has done an impressive job in changing the Gers’ fortunes. When Röhl got the job the club in October, the club were languishing in sixth. 

McCoist also had praise for unlikely leaders Hearts for their seriously impressive form. “Hearts have been an absolute breath of fresh air. They’re there on merit and I think they’ll stay the distance.

“For the first time in a long time, you look at the Scottish league, and you see that Rangers and Celtic, for the first time in a long time, are more than capable of being beaten by other teams.” 

If Hearts are capable of keeping it up this would be a truly historic season.

A well-earned win over Dundee saw goalkeeper 43-year-old Craig Gordon take the plaudits for coming on at half-time and producing an incredible stoppage time save against Dundee. 

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And with Scotland off to the World Cup, McCoist argued the keeper may well have secured himself a seat on the plane. “It’s an absolutely tremendous save. Will he go to the World Cup at 43? I think he may. Why not?” 

And one thing, though, was playing on his mind. “The other question about him, of course, is what hair product does he use? Because, you know, his hair is still jet black [at 43].”