The Scottish Premiership title race took another dramatic twist on Sunday as Rangers and Celtic both produced stirring comebacks to leave the top three separated by just three points.
At Ibrox, Youssef Chermiti delivered the performance of his Rangers career, striking a hat-trick in a pulsating 4-2 victory over Hearts. The result slashed the Edinburgh side’s once commanding 13 point lead to just two, reigniting a battle that had appeared to be slipping from Rangers’ grasp.
Chermiti was born in Azores, Santa Maria in Portugal to a Tunisian-French father and Bissau-Guinean mother
Hearts, chasing a first league crown outside the Old Firm in 41 years, twice led in the first half through Marc Leonard and Claudio Braga. Yet Rangers refused to wilt. An own goal from Michael Steinwender restored parity before Chermiti capitalised on a fortunate ricochet to level again before the interval.
The Portuguese forward, previously criticised after a slow start in Glasgow following his spell at Everton, rose to power home a header from Andreas Skov Olsen’s cross just before the hour mark. He sealed his first senior hat-trick in stoppage time, calmly finishing on the counter as Hearts pushed desperately for an equaliser.
Across the city, Celtic responded in equally dramatic fashion. The defending champions trailed 2-0 at half-time to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park after goals from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill stunned the visitors.
Interim manager Martin O’Neill turned to his bench and was rewarded. Substitute Sebastian Tounekti curled a superb effort into the top corner to spark the revival, before Benjamin Nygren punished hesitant defending to draw Celtic level.
Deep into stoppage time, right-back Julian Araujo lashed home with his weaker foot to snatch a 3-2 win and spark wild celebrations among the travelling support. It marked the third consecutive match in which Celtic have struck decisively in added time.
“It’s not great for my health. It’s really draining, honestly,” said the 73-year-old.
“Obviously, it’s unbelievably satisfying to win, and to win in the manner in which we did at the end was terrific.”
