Predictions, in any walk of life, are a risky business but putting your neck on the line is engrained in Scottish football psyche.

And swaying towards green or blue is heightened when there is only three points splitting champions Celtic and challengers Rangers with five games remaining. The ebb and flow of this title race has been compelling and now Brendan Rodgers' side sit favourites. But Philippe Clement will be hoping for a some more twists that will see him land the title in his first season in Glasgow.

Record Sport called in the heavy hitters – with the aide OF OUR shiny predictor tool – to map out the final lap of a long and winding battle for supremacy. Will it be Celtic making it 12 out of 13 titles or can Rangers come out on top? Here's how the insiders reckon the course of the championship will go down.

Barry Ferguson

The man who lives and breathes Rangers has endured a rollercoaster of emotions this season. The Ibrox legend was down but never out and he's dusted himself off one more time and is backing Rangers to roar in their final five fixtures. He sees Celtic getting into trouble at Dens Park, failing to beat Rangers at Celtic Park then drawing at Rugby Park. And that will coincide with Clement and Co winning four games bar the draw at Parkhead. Ferguson has waxed lyrical about Clement and he is reckons the Belgian will show his class with the stakes raised in the pursuit of glory.

Barry's predictions (winners in bold, draws in italics)

  • Matchday 34: Kilmarnock vs Hearts, Rangers vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Celtic
  • Matchday 35: Celtic vs Hearts, Dundee vs St Mirren, Rangers vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 36: Celtic vs Rangers, Hearts vs Dundee, St Mirren vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 37: Rangers vs Dundee, Kilmarnock vs Celtic, St Mirren vs Hearts
  • Matchday 38: Celtic vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Kilmarnock, Hearts vs Rangers

Steven Pressley

Ex-players often cop flak for playing it safe but that's not something you can accuse former Celtic and Rangers defender Pressley of. He is plumping for the champions to come unstuck in three consecutive games on matchdays 35, 36 and 37. Pressley – who won titles with both sides during his playing days – senses danger for Rodgers' men as he believes their clash with Hearts will end in a draw, before losing to Clement's side at Ibrox and drawing at Rugby Park. And he feels Rangers will be red hot in the final five fixtures, winning them all, to secure the title by four points and celebrating the title before the need for a helicopter.

Steven's picks (winners in bold, draws in italics)

  • Matchday 34: Kilmarnock vs Hearts, Rangers vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Celtic
  • Matchday 35: Celtic vs Hearts, Dundee vs St Mirren, Rangers vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 36: Celtic vs Rangers, Hearts vs Dundee, St Mirren vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 37: Rangers vs Dundee, Kilmarnock vs Celtic, St Mirren vs Hearts
  • Matchday 38: Celtic vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Kilmarnock, Hearts vs Rangers

Tam McManus

Champions again? The former Hibs star thinks so. And McManus is backing green and white to reign supreme in the box office clash between Celtic and Rangers on matchday 36. The Record Sport pundit sees Brendan Rodgers' side coming out on top and winning the league by four points.


Tam's picks(winners in bold, draws in italics)

Matchday 34: Kilmarnock vs Hearts, Rangers vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Celtic

Matchday 35: Celtic vs Hearts, Dundee vs St Mirren, Rangers vs Kilmarnock

Matchday 36: Celtic vs Rangers, Hearts vs Dundee, St Mirren vs Kilmarnock

Matchday 37: Rangers vs Dundee, Kilmarnock vs Celtic, St Mirren vs Hearts

Matchday 38: Celtic vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Kilmarnock, Hearts vs Rangers

Ryan Stevenson

The Hearts hero is, surprisingly, is picking Hearts to finish with three less points than McManus. However, pundits can often be harsher markers on their own team. But one thing which brings the legends across the Edinburgh divide together is the sense this is Celtic's title and Stevo is backing Celtic to defeat Rangers en route to another title.


Stevo's picks(winners in bold, draws in italics)

  • Matchday 34: Kilmarnock vs Hearts, Rangers vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Celtic
  • Matchday 35: Celtic vs Hearts, Dundee vs St Mirren, Rangers vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 36: Celtic vs Rangers, Hearts vs Dundee, St Mirren vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 37: Rangers vs Dundee, Kilmarnock vs Celtic, St Mirren vs Hearts
  • Matchday 38: Celtic vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Kilmarnock, Hearts vs Rangers

John McMaster

The Aberdeen icon is Granite City royalty but the 69-year-old has been a dedicated follower of a breathless season – even though his beloved Dons have flattered to deceive. And the man who made Aberdeen tick during their greatest era senses it will be Celtic who reign supreme once more. And he believes Rangers will hit turbulence on multiple occasions to leave the helicopter grounded. He's another firmly in the Celtic camp when it comes to the destination of the title.

John's picks(winners in bold, draws in italics)

  • Matchday 34: Kilmarnock vs Hearts, Rangers vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Celtic
  • Matchday 35: Celtic vs Hearts, Dundee vs St Mirren, Rangers vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 36: Celtic vs Rangers, Hearts vs Dundee, St Mirren vs Kilmarnock
  • Matchday 37: Rangers vs Dundee, Kilmarnock vs Celtic, St Mirren vs Hearts
  • Matchday 38: Celtic vs St Mirren, Dundee vs Kilmarnock, Hearts vs Rangers

How do you think it will go?

You've heard from former players and pundits and its now your turn to get involved. Do you think our experts are bang on the money or miles off it? Well, now is the time to have your say on who will come out on top.

Will it be Rangers or Celtic? Will St Mirren go tonto and leapfrog Kilmarnock? It's time to make your picks for the thrilling finale with five fixtures remaining in the Premiership.