Scottish Premiership: Is Celtic manager Martin O’Neill’s superior points average enough to win the title?

In Glasgow, the story was very different. At Celtic, Brendan Rodgers started the season in the dugout, seeking the club’s fifth successive title. Following a defeat to Hearts in October, which was Celtic’s second successive league loss, Rodgers resigned.

Former manager Martin O’Neill was appointed for an interim spell, during which Celtic won all five of their league matches. Wilfried Nancy was appointed but lasted only eight matches, winning only two and losing six. These two victories were in the Premier League.

O’Neill returned and regained the consistency of his first stint as coach (2000-05) and his shorter interim stint earlier this season.

Celtic have dropped points since O’Neill’s last appointment, but only on three occasions, and only once have they suffered defeat.

Overall, he has the highest points per game average among the top four Premier League bosses with 2.5.

Danny Ruhl became Rangers’ second permanent manager this season in October. At that point, Rangers had nine points from eight matches, seven of which were under the leadership of his predecessor, Russell Martin, and the other under the supervision of interim coach Stevie Smith.

The German has significantly improved Rangers’ points per game in the Premier League, taking his figure to 2.29. The Ibrox side’s penchant for drawing games this season may eventually see them down, but half of their 12 league draws came before Ruhl’s arrival.

Had Ruhl been appointed in June, his current points average would have left Rangers better off than leaders Hearts after 29 games.