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

In Glasgow, it has been an entirely different story. At Celtic, Brendan Rodgers started the campaign in the dugout, seeking the club’s fifth successive title. After defeat by Hearts in October, which was Celtic’s second straight league loss, Rodgers resigned.

In stepped former manager Martin O’Neill for an interim spell, during which Celtic won all five of their league games. Wilfried Nancy was appointed but lasted only eight games, winning only two and losing six. Those two victories were in the Premiership.

Back came O’Neill and he has restored the consistency of both his first spell as boss (2000-05) and his shorter interim stint earlier this season.

Celtic have dropped points since O’Neill’s latest appointment, but only on three occasions and only one of those has been a defeat.

Overall, he boasts the highest points per game average of the top four team bosses in the Premiership at 2.5.

Danny Rohl became Rangers’ second permanent head coach of the season in October. At that stage, Rangers had nine points from eight games, seven of which were under predecessor Russell Martin and the other under the watch of caretaker coach Stevie Smith.

The German has significantly improved Rangers’ points per Premiership game average, with his figure sitting at 2.29. The Ibrox side’s tendency to draw games this season may ultimately prove to be their undoing, but half of their 12 draws in the league came before Rohl’s arrival.

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