Hearts may not have been at the top of the William Hill Premiership had it not been for the crises at Rangers and Celtic.

Daily Mail journalist Paul Forsyth has credited the ineptitude of the Old Firm clubs for how the season has panned out so far in Scotland.

The Gers went off to one of their worst starts to a league campaign under Russell Martin, but Danny Rohl has steadied the ship since.

As for the Hoops, Brendan Rodger’ resignation, followed by Martin O’Neill’s appointment as interim manager before Wilfried Nancy took over, leading to the Northern Irish manager’s return to Parkhead in a matter of weeks, has left the race for the title wide open.

Rangers win over Hearts adds another twist in William Hill Premiership

Hearts dropped three crucial points against the Gers as Rohl’s team closed the gap at the top of the table to two points.

Ibrox hosted the Jam Tarts on 15 February, with Youssef Chermiti’s hat-trick surging the Light Blues to a 4-2 victory.

Celtic also beat Kilmarnock 3-2 earlier on the day after Julian Araujo’s last-minute equaliser, leaving them a point behind their Old Firm rivals, with a game in hand.

Writing in the Daily Mail on 15 February, Forsyth said, “Let’s be honest, the simultaneous ineptitude of both Celtic and Rangers, off the pitch as well as on it, has made this astonishing campaign possible. Hearts have been magnificent, but would they be top of the table in any other year?”

Rohl has another crunch fixture coming up against the Hoops in the William Hill Premiership on 1 March at Ibrox, and a win on the day will further strengthen the Govan side’s claim to the title.

Fans in G51 have renewed hopes of winning the league after coming back from an arguably impossible position earlier in the campaign, but consistency will surely be the key to success.

Danny Rohl has new Ibrox hero after winter transfer window

Connor Barron’s injury was certainly a bitter blow for Rangers, but they’ve found his perfect replacement in Tochi Chukwuani.

While the former Sturm Graz midfielder isn’t necessarily a number six, he has used his physicality and strength effectively in recent matches, as evident from the Sofascore graphic below.

The Danish national’s inclusion in the starting lineup has seen Nicolas Raskin take up a more advanced role in the middle of the park, helping the Glaswegian outfit’s attacking prospects.

With Chukwuani, Tuur Rommens and Andreas Skov Olsen making an immediate impact in Govan, Rohl now has a squad capable of going all the way in the William Hill Premiership.

For more in-depth analysis about the Gers, visit Football Insider and have a look at their coverage.