Celtic remain one of the most successful names in Scottish football, having secured the Premiership title for four straight seasons between 2021 and 2025. The Glasgow giants are built on a legacy of winning, though the current run has pushed that drive to the limit. As the club move through their 132nd year of competitive football, the league is moving into its most important post-split phase. The defending champions are currently fighting to keep their streak alive through one of their most chaotic seasons yet. A potential title-deciding match between Hearts and Celtic at Parkhead on 16th May is now a real possibility, which will be a dramatic finish that almost no one saw coming at the start of the season.
What did Cillian Sheridan actually say, and does the data back him up?
During a recent appearance on the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan, who started at Celtic Park in 2006 and earned three caps for Ireland, claimed the momentum in the title race has started to swing back toward Celtic. Sheridan argued that treating the Celts as outsiders is both wrong and a bit unfair.
He pointed out that being only three points off the top is usually seen as a serious challenge, not a lost cause. He emphasised that a single weekend of scores can flip the entire table. His comments show us a clear annoyance with the current media narrative, but the stats back him up.
“Given everything that’s happened in the last week, it feels like a little bit of momentum has shifted more towards Celtic.
“We’re saying that they’re on the fringes, but they’re only three points behind. You’d never in any other season [call that the fringes] if Celtic are three points behind, you’re thinking they’re well and truly in it. But it can all change in one weekend as we’ve seen so far.”
Can a club that changed three managers actually win this title?
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 14: Tomas Cvancara of Celtic celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park on March 14, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
After 33 games, Hearts lead with 70 points, Celtic have 67, and Rangers sit in third with 66 (having played one match less). Celtic still have to play Rangers at home on 10 May before the finale against Hearts on 16 May. These two games mean their fate is essentially in their own hands.
To be honest, the biggest story isn’t Sheridan’s confidence; it’s the fact that Celtic are still in the hunt at all. Burning through three managers in one season usually leads to a total breakdown, but Martin O’Neill’s squad is still right there. This says a lot about the team’s depth and toughness, something pundits often overlook.
With only six rounds left, this is one of the tightest races in years. Celtic’s schedule, which includes two home matches in their final three, gives them a clear advantage. The Old Firm game at Celtic Park on 10 May is the ultimate sink or swim moment. If Celtic win that and Hearts slip up against Rangers on 4th May, the race is wide open again. A three-point gap isn’t a mountain to climb, and it’s exactly where champions prove their worth.
