There are just three games to go in the Scottish Premiership and we still have a few burning issues to be settled. It's win or bust time for St Johnstone at the bottom and Kilmarnock can be rid of any play-off worries if they see off Dundee at Rugby Park. St Mirren aren't just making up the numbers in the top six and will be within striking distance of the last European place if they can upset Dundee United at Tannadice. Barry Ferguson is still seeking a first home win as Rangers manager. Will it come against Aberdeen, who have managed to pick up maximum points just twice in their past 14 league games on the road? When Celtic beat Hibs 3-0 in Glasgow on 7 December, the length of the Premiership table separated the sides. Since then no team in the division has collected more points than Hibs as they moved from last to third, having lost just once in 19 league outings and winning 13 of those. That remarkable sequence includes a 2-1 victory over the champions at Easter Road when David Gray's side turned in a full throttle first-half display against opponents who had suffered midweek Champions League disappointment at Bayern Munich. Celtic have since had their revenge in the Scottish Cup and knocked Hibs out of the League Cup, too, making it four wins from the five encounters this season. These two may be the form teams of 2025 but Celtic are undefeated in 21 home games against Hibs in all competitions, winning 17, since a 2-1 upset in January 2010. They haven't lost two successive league games to the men from Leith in one season since 1950-51. With the title wrapped up and the last Old Firm game out of the way, Brendan Rodgers plans to rest a few players with the Scottish Cup final in mind. That might embolden the visitors, who posed very little threat in that cup defeat in March. Of course, Gray might think it will be easier to hold out against a team missing a few front line stars but a cautious approach backfired at Pittodrie recently to end a long unbeaten run. With a three-point lead over Aberdeen in the race for third and a healthy advantage in goal difference, Hibs may opt to keep the shackles off this time, and, if Celtic have players looking to impress the boss, we could be in for a real treat. Hibs are second in the Scottish Premiership table for 2025 Motherwell are safe from trouble and Hearts are as good as too, so here's hoping the teams serve up better fare than they did at Fir Park last month. Both teams needed a win that day to make the top six but the pressure told in a drab, goalless draw. Lawrence Shankland was on the visitors' bench that afternoon and came nearest to breaking the deadlock with a late effort cleared off the line. The Scotland striker netted in the following Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Aberdeen and banged in two more in the win at Ross County last weekend to effectively snuff out any play-off concerns. Caretaker manager Liam Fox needed the points and he wasn't messing about, immediately reinstating Shankland as the starting centre forward. The 29-year-old, who has spent most of 2025 in a deeper role, will be a free agent in a few weeks, so he has picked a good time to remind us of his goalscoring talent. However, his season tally of seven is a huge drop-off from the 31 and 28 in his previous campaigns at Tynecastle. Will there be a clamour for Shankland's signature over the summer on the strength of those past exploits or could Hearts tempt their captain to stay on? A few more goals over the next couple of weeks would strengthen his hand. If St Johnstone are beaten at home by Ross County, they will drop out of the top tier for the first time since 2002. A home victory would pull the Saints three points behind the visitors with two games remaining but they have been in 'must-win' territory for a while and have lost three in a row in the Premiership since a shock success against Celtic. County are in even worse shape, though, picking up nothing from their previous six matches and failing to score in four of those. Thanks to the vagaries of the split, this will be a third home game for St Johnstone against County this season and they have won the other two, with Simo Valakari looking on for the first as he waited for paperwork to clear on his appointment. The Perth side are unbeaten in their past six meetings with the Staggies but have been forced to play with a patched up defence of late and looked extremely vulnerable in the 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at McDiarmid Park last time. A draw is no use to St Johnstone at this stage, so Valakari has to go for it. Can he rouse a depleted squad for a big push against opponents who are likely to be feeling just as jittery?
Shankland, Valakari & form teams of 2025 in focus
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Scottish Premiership Teams Face Critical Matches as Season Nears Conclusion"
Bbc News
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
As the Scottish Premiership approaches its climax with only three games remaining, several critical issues are at stake, particularly for teams at both ends of the table. St Johnstone faces a dire situation at the bottom, needing a win against Ross County to avoid dropping out of the top tier for the first time since 2002. Meanwhile, Kilmarnock can alleviate their playoff fears with a victory over Dundee at Rugby Park. St Mirren, currently in the top six, aims to secure a European spot by defeating Dundee United at Tannadice, while Rangers, under Barry Ferguson, are still searching for their first home win, facing a struggling Aberdeen side. Hibernian, having transformed their season from last to third place with impressive performances, will be looking to challenge Celtic, who have historically dominated their encounters but are now considering resting key players ahead of the Scottish Cup final. This context sets the stage for an exciting finish to the season as teams vie for crucial points and positions.
The spotlight will also be on individual players like Lawrence Shankland, who has recently regained his starting position for Hearts after a period in a deeper role. With his contract expiring soon, Shankland’s performance is under scrutiny as he aims to boost his goal tally, having scored only seven this season compared to his previous seasons of 31 and 28 goals. His recent contributions against Ross County may influence future interest from other clubs. On the other hand, caretaker manager Simo Valakari must inspire a depleted St Johnstone squad to overcome their recent poor form against a similarly struggling Ross County, who have not scored in their last four matches. The stakes are high as teams look to solidify their standings, avoid relegation, or secure a European place, ensuring that the final games of the season will be filled with tension and excitement.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of the current situation in the Scottish Premiership as the season approaches its conclusion. It highlights the critical matches ahead, especially for teams struggling at the bottom of the table and those vying for European qualification. The focus is on various teams, particularly St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, St Mirren, and Hibs, while also emphasizing the performance of Celtic and Rangers.
Impression Management
The news aims to create a sense of urgency and excitement about the ongoing league competitions. By detailing the struggles and successes of different teams, it fosters a narrative of competitiveness and unpredictability, which can engage fans and drive viewership. The mention of key games that could impact relegation and European spots underscores the stakes involved, potentially galvanizing community support for local clubs.
Information Omission
While the article captures the essence of the competition, it may not delve into deeper issues such as financial challenges faced by certain clubs, management controversies, or fan sentiments. This creates a somewhat sanitized view of the league, focusing on the action while glossing over the underlying struggles that may affect teams.
Manipulative Aspects
The article can be viewed as slightly manipulative due to its selective presentation of information. By focusing on thrilling match-ups and potential upsets, it may downplay the implications of poor performances or internal club issues. The language used evokes excitement but may also inadvertently foster unrealistic expectations among fans regarding their teams’ prospects.
Authenticity and Reliability
The reliability of the news is moderate, as it is based on current league standings and statistics. However, the framing of the narrative can skew perceptions, leading some readers to form a biased view of certain teams' performances. Overall, while the information is factual, the emphasis and language may introduce subjective interpretations.
Community Impact
The article may influence local communities by rallying support for the teams mentioned, particularly those in a precarious position like St Johnstone. A strong performance could uplift community spirits, while failures may lead to disappointment and unrest among fans. This dynamic can have implications for club management and future investments.
Target Audience
Supporters of Scottish football, particularly those following the teams featured, are the primary audience. The article speaks to fans who are invested in the outcomes of these matches and who may be looking for insights into their teams' performances.
Market Influence
While this news piece may not have a direct impact on stock markets or global financial markets, it could influence local businesses associated with the clubs, such as merchandise sales and hospitality services. Teams performing well can drive increased attendance and spending in their communities.
Global Context
From a broader perspective, this article links to ongoing discussions about the competitiveness of football leagues, especially in light of European competitions. The resilience of clubs like Hibs against Celtic can be seen as part of a larger narrative regarding the evolution of football dynamics in Scotland.
Use of AI in Content Creation
There is a possibility that AI tools were employed in the drafting of this article, particularly in structuring the narrative and presenting statistics. Algorithms could aid in analyzing team performances and generating engaging summaries. However, the human touch in editorial decision-making, especially in framing, remains essential.
In conclusion, while the article provides valuable insights into the Scottish Premiership's current state, its focus on exciting narratives may overshadow more complex issues facing teams. The overall reliability is moderate, and the news serves to engage and mobilize fans while potentially glossing over critical underlying dynamics.