Scrappy Rangers stutter back into title race as O'Neill sweats on Araujo and Schmeichel

Rangers move within three of leaders Hearts and one of Celtic after an eventful weekend at the top in Scotland

Sun, 15 Mar, 2026 - 15:06

Gavin McCafferty

Tuur Rommens made the difference as Rangers stuttered to within striking distance of William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts with an unconvincing 1-0 win over St Mirren.

The Jambos' defeat at Kilmarnock on Saturday night opened the door for Danny Rohl's side, while second-placed Celtic's home win over Motherwell earlier in the day turned the heat up on the Tynecastle side.

Amid a swirling wind in Paisley, Rangers took advantage and just after the half-hour mark left-back Rommens scored his first Gers goal since signing from Belgian side Westerlo in January with a close-range finish.

It was a slog for the visitors who could not add to their lead but with eight fixtures remaining, Rangers are three points behind Hearts and one point behind Celtic as the top of table bunched up approaching the final stages.

The battling Buddies, who lost boss Stephen Robinson to Aberdeen during the week, barely troubled Gers keeper Jack Butland and they ended the day still in 10th place, above Kilmarnock on goal difference.

Meanwhile

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is hopeful Julian Araujo will not be out long - but he hinted that Kasper Schmeichel's latest prognosis had been unexpected.

Araujo was absent as Celtic beat Motherwell 3-1 on Saturday to cut the gap on William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts to two points.

The Hoops were already missing Callum McGregor and Arne Engels along with long-term absentees such as Jota, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Schmeichel has now been missing for four games after being named on the bench behind Viljami Sinisalo in Celtic's 1-0 win in Stuttgart.

The 39-year-old's absence was initially put down to illness but it was later revealed he had an injection in his shoulder which made him sick.

The former Manchester City goalkeeper was quoted in the Danish media as saying he needed up to six week of rest to ease a shoulder problem that has been lingering for a year and which he says took a turn for the worse in the home defeat by Stuttgart.

O'Neill said: "Julian, I'm hoping that he should be alright for next week.

"Things seem to change all the time. For instance, even Kasper trained on Friday. He's definitely got a bit of a problem. You're hoping that it wouldn't have been as long as he's suggesting. But we'll see where we are.

"Julian's had a bit of a thigh strain. You're hoping it's not going to be as serious as Arne. But it may be, and I seem to just contradict myself most of the time.

"So by Tuesday, I'll have a totally different update. And you'll think to yourself, 'is he trying to play games'? The answer is, I'm not, I just genuinely don't know.

"And sometimes, like myself, when I wasn't having a really great time, I picked up an injury along the way, generally driving. So it was a bit of a problem. I know how players feel."

Celtic now have the destiny of the title in their hands again after bouncing back from Elijah Just's opener to win thanks to Yang Hyun-jun's double and Tomas Cvancara's penalty.

"That was a big win," O'Neill said. "The boys have got a lot of confidence from that there, particularly fighting back.

"I thought it was a really good game of football. Motherwell were very dangerous throughout the game, and we fought back brilliantly to win, so it was great."