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Russell Martin and Derek McInnes in mid-September [SNS] Celtic and Rangers bear more pressure in the Scottish Premiership title race, even though Hearts are top, says former Ibrox head coach Russell Martin. Martin was sacked after Rangers' seventh league game of the season, when they were eighth, and successor Danny Rohl has taken them to third - within three points of Hearts with eight games to play. Defending champions Celtic, under Martin O'Neill, are two points below Derek McInnes' Hearts and a point above Rangers.
"Because it's so close, there's pressure on the Old Firm always," Martin told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "No matter what the situation, no matter what the game. "I do think Hearts have less pressure than the other two right now.
They can probably play on the underdog thing from now until the end of the season. " Martin's Rangers drew 0-0 with Celtic and lost 2-0 at home to Hearts early in the campaign. "The Old Firm both have a chance of winning the league and the fans have been so frustrated and disappointed with their seasons," Martin said.
"Martin O'Neill and [assistant] Shaun Maloney have been there, won it between them so many times and [captain] Callum McGregor and the Celtic guys having had the experience of winning it, I think it could be really, really important. "Derek McInnes and Hearts have had an amazing season. "It's a really interesting and unique season.
I really don't know which way it's going to go. "Each week it sort of changes. No-one's really in flow.