Hearts are actually doing it. They’re sitting at the top of the Scottish Premiership in early 2026, and the upcoming clash of Rangers v Hearts isn't just another fixture on the calendar; it's a legitimate title fight. For decades, the "Old Firm" dominance has felt like an unbreakable law of physics in Scotland. But right now? The Jambos are nine points clear of the Glasgow giants, and the atmosphere around Ibrox is a mix of desperation and renewed hope under Danny Röhl.
If you’ve been following Scottish football lately, you know the script has been flipped. Hearts didn't just stumble into this lead. They've beaten both Rangers and Celtic back-to-back, becoming the first non-Old Firm side since the mid-80s to string together four consecutive wins against the big two. It’s wild. Honestly, if you told a Rangers fan back in August that they’d be chasing Hearts in January, they’d have laughed you out of the Louden Tavern. Yet, here we are.
The Danny Röhl Factor and the Ibrox Resurgence
Rangers haven't had it easy this season. The transition from Russell Martin to Danny Röhl in October was a massive pivot. Martin’s "possession for the sake of possession" style was sucking the life out of the Ibrox crowd. Röhl has brought something different. It’s more aggressive, more vertical, and, frankly, much more "Rangers."
Since he took over, the Gers have been on a tear, winning five of their last six. The recent 5-0 demolition of Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup showed the depth they're building. Bojan Miovski, the North Macedonian striker they snagged from Aberdeen, looks like the real deal. He bagged a hat-trick in that cup tie and is finally providing the clinical edge they lacked in the early months.
But even with Miovski firing and new January signings like Andreas Skov Olsen and Tochi Chukwuani settling in, the shadow of that 2-1 defeat to Hearts on December 21st still looms large. That game at Tynecastle was a reality check. Hearts didn’t just win; they looked like the better-drilled unit. They swarmed the Rangers midfield, played through the press, and deserved the three points.
Why Hearts Aren't Fading Away
Most people expected the Hearts' bubble to burst by Christmas. It didn't. Under the guidance of their current regime, they’ve turned Tynecastle into a fortress and found a way to grind out results on the road. Lawrence Shankland is still the focal point, but it's the organization behind him that's the story.
The "Jambos" are playing with a level of tactical discipline we haven't seen outside of Glasgow in a long time. They’re currently sitting on 50 points from 22 games. To put that in perspective, Rangers are on 44. This isn't a "Leicester City" fluke yet, but the parallels are being drawn. The financial gap is still massive—Rangers' squad is valued at roughly four times that of Hearts—but on the pitch, that gap has evaporated.
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The Recent Head-to-Head Reality
Let’s look at the cold, hard numbers because they tell a story of a shift in power.
In the last five meetings across all competitions, the record is surprisingly balanced, but with a recent tilt toward Edinburgh. While Rangers have a historical stranglehold on this fixture—with 109 league wins at Ibrox compared to Hearts' 23—the 2025/26 season has been a different beast.
- December 21, 2025: Hearts 2-1 Rangers (Premiership)
- September 13, 2025: Rangers 0-2 Hearts (Premiership)
- February 16, 2025: Hearts 1-3 Rangers (Premiership)
- November 10, 2024: Rangers 1-0 Hearts (Premiership)
- August 3, 2024: Hearts 0-0 Rangers (Premiership)
Hearts have actually won the last two league encounters. That is significant. It’s not just a "one-off" upset anymore. When these teams meet at Ibrox on February 15th, 2026, it will be the ultimate test of whether Hearts have the "bottle" to win a league title in front of 50,000 hostile fans.
Tactical Battle: Röhl's High Press vs. Hearts' Counter
When Rangers v Hearts kicks off, keep an eye on the midfield. Rangers captain James Tavernier, even at 34, remains their most potent attacking threat from right-back, often leading the team in both goals and assists. Röhl relies on Tavernier to push high, effectively becoming a winger, while Mohamed Diomande covers the engine room.
Hearts, however, have been brilliant at exploiting the space Tavernier leaves behind. In their 2-1 win in December, they repeatedly targeted the channels, using quick transitions to catch the Rangers center-backs, John Souttar and Clinton Nsiala, in 1v1 situations.
There's also the VAR factor. Scottish football wouldn't be itself without a refereeing controversy. We all remember the "shambolic" VAR audio release after Shankland’s goal in October—where a blatant handball was missed in the buildup. The fans haven't forgotten, and the pressure on the officiating crew for the next game will be immense. Willie Collum has been under fire to improve transparency, but the tension remains.
What's at Stake for the Rest of the Season?
For Rangers, this is a "must-win" in the truest sense of the phrase. If they lose, the gap could potentially widen to 12 points. In a league as top-heavy as the Scottish Premiership, 12 points is a mountain that's almost impossible to climb, even with a "split" at the end of the season.
For Hearts, a draw is a great result. A win? That would be a declaration of war on the Glasgow establishment. They are currently 6 points clear of both Celtic and Rangers, though Celtic has a game in hand. If Hearts can emerge from Ibrox with their lead intact, the belief in Edinburgh will reach fever pitch.
Key Players to Watch
- Bojan Miovski (Rangers): The man in form. If he gets service from Skov Olsen on the wing, he's deadly.
- Lawrence Shankland (Hearts): The talisman. He has a knack for scoring "ugly" goals in big games.
- Jack Butland (Rangers): He’s had to be a hero more often than he’d like this season. His leadership from the back is vital.
- James Penrice (Hearts): His delivery from the left and defensive solidity have been underrated keys to their success.
Honestly, it’s just refreshing to see a title race that involves more than two teams. The "third man" has finally shown up to the party, and he brought a drum and a maroon scarf.
Whether you’re a Bluenose hoping for a Röhl-led comeback or a Jambo dreaming of the club's first title since 1960, the upcoming match is the pivot point for the entire season.
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Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on the fitness of Rangers' Mohamed Diomande; his ability to break up play is crucial against Hearts' counter-attacking style.
- Watch the Odds: As the February 15th match approaches, betting markets are currently favoring Rangers at home, but the "Double Chance" on Hearts or a Draw is seeing significant movement due to their recent H2H record.
- Check the Weather: Ibrox in mid-February can be a leveler. A heavy, wet pitch usually favors the more physical, defensive setup of a visiting Hearts side.
- Look at the Bench: With Rangers' new January signings, Röhl has more tactical flexibility than he had in December. Watch for late-game substitutions that could shift the formation to a back three if they are chasing a goal.