Scottish Premiership title race: Celtic should have all the motivation they need after Opta’s prediction

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(Credit: Imago) Thu 23 April 2026 19:00, UK The Scottish Premiership is set to reach its conclusion over the next month, with Celtic, Rangers and Hearts all being have a chance of winning the title.With the post-split season set to begin, all three clubs have five games to lift the title.As it stands, Celtic are third in the table, three points off Hearts, and are still well in the race.However, Opta on 23 April has only given them an 18 per cent chance of ending the season at the summit, despite the title still being in their hands.Therefore, the club should be fuming, as Celtic aim to win a domestic double this campaign. ⚽ Celtic Matchday ⚽ >Team news, line-ups, expert previews and verdicts, and tactical analysis for every Hoops fixture. VISIT THE CELTIC MATCH HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Celtic should use underdog position to their advantage For Celtic, they know exactly what they need to do going into the final matches of the season.If they win all five of their remaining Scottish Premiership games, they have an excellent shot of lifting the title, and will win it if they can overtake Hearts’ goal-difference.Scottish Premiership title winner Opta’s predictions Rangers 47%Hearts35%Celtic18%Despite their stuttering form in recent weeks, this is more than doable.

The squad is littered with players with title experience, and they easily have the best manager for the run-in.Therefore, for Opta to suggest that they only have an 18 per cent chance of lifting the trophy is laughable.Now, Celtic need to use this as motivation, as many have clearly written them off despite only being three points behind.Therefore, if the Hoops can use their underdog position to their advantage, they could easily end the season with the trophy.Who could Celtic appoint at the end of the season?Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Celtic could look to appoint Roberto Martinez in the summer.It is increasingly likely that Martin O’Neill leaves Parkhead upon the conclusion of the current campaign.As a result, if a new manager is not appointed by the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, they will look to bring in Martinez, who is the current Portugal National Team coach.However, they will have to offer him a sizable contract to convince him to join the Hoops, with Martinez likely to attract interest from multiple other parties in the summer.Nevertheless, it remains to be seen who Celtic opt to appoint.