Will thrilling Scottish title race be decided on goal difference?

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Will thrilling Scottish title race be decided on goal difference?

Rangers' 6-3 win over Falkirk extends the Ibrox side's advantage over leaders Heart of Midlothian and Celtic should the Scottish Premiership title be decided on goal difference.

Will thrilling Scottish title race be decided on goal difference?

Rangers' 6-3 win over Falkirk extends the Ibrox side's advantage over leaders Heart of Midlothian and Celtic should the Scottish Premiership title be decided on goal difference.

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Image source, SNSByClive LindsayBBC Sport ScotlandPublished7 hours agoRangers' incredible fightback from two goals down to thump Falkirk 6-3 has put the spotlight even more on the possibility of Scotland's thrilling three-team title race being decided on goal difference.

Former Rangers and Falkirk midfielder Scott Arfield was the latest, suggesting "it could be massive".

Indeed, prior to the match at Falkirk Stadium, the Daily Record devoted a whole column to explaining how the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) is planning for a possible special, extra-game play-off to decide the winners should all else be equal.

It is a long way to go before any of that might come into play, with Hearts, Rangers and Celtic all having five games left, but who has the advantage at present should two or more finish level on points?

Rangers back within point of Hearts after nine-goal epic at Falkirk

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Published1 day agoSportsound: Nine goals as Premiership title race rages on

Rangers' comeback 'a statement' - RohlImage source, SNSAfter all three sides won over the weekend, Hearts still lead Rangers by a point, with reigning champions Celtic two further back.

If two or all three of those finish level after the final round of fixtures on Saturday, 16 May, what is the hierarchy of title tie-breakers?

Goal difference - Rangers' win over Falkirk means they are currently five goals better off than Hearts and 11 clear of Celtic.

Goals for - Rangers currently also lead the way on goals scored, with 66 to Celtic's 59, with Hearts third with 58.

Head-to-head points - With Hearts having beaten Celtic twice and drawn once, the Edinburgh side would finish ahead even if they lose their final visit to Celtic Park.

Hearts have beaten Rangers twice and lost once, while Rangers have beaten Celtic once and drawn twice.

Head-to-head goal difference - Hearts currently lead Rangers 6-5 after their three meetings and their final meeting at Tynecastle will be decisive either way should it come to that.

Rangers, meanwhile, lead Celtic 5-3 on goal difference. Only if all else was equal would a play-off come into play, with Celtic having to match Rangers' previous 3-1 win on their last meeting.

However, even before his side laboured to a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened St Mirren, Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill was suggesting "it's too late now" for his side to think about starting to make up the ground on goal difference with their rivals.

Nevertheless, Celtic do have the advantage of playing three of their remaining five games at home, with both their rivals having two each.

Indeed, O'Neill's side host both their title rivals, including a final-day visit by Hearts.

Celtic have only scored more than two goals once in their last 10 outings, but a result or two like Rangers' against Falkirk and that goal difference deficit could quickly change.

Hearts found their scoring boots on Saturday, their own fightback from behind to beat Motherwell 3-1 breaking a trend of four nervy 1-0 home wins.

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