Scottish Premiership struggles continue for Hearts and Rangers early in season
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 5:39 PM
Last updated Aug 7, 2026
The early weeks of the Scottish Premiership show a tough start for last season's leading teams. Celtic secured a win on the opening weekend with a narrow victory over Dundee, while Hearts suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat to Benfica in the Europa League qualifiers. Rangers followed a 1-1 draw with Dundee United by losing 2-1 to Jagiellonia Bialystok in their Europa League match. Hearts face a challenging fixture against Dundee United, while Hibernian prepares to visit Ibrox under pressure after their midweek record. Celtic may extend their lead with a match against Kilmarnock, who have a poor start to the season.
- •Celtic won their opener against Dundee 1-0.
- •Hearts lost 6-1 to Benfica, marking a fourth straight defeat.
- •Rangers drew 1-1 with Dundee United before losing 2-1 to Jagiellonia Bialystok.
- •Hearts face Dundee United, needing to avoid a third consecutive league defeat.
- •Hibernian seeks back-to-back wins at Ibrox after a midweek victory.
- 5:39 PMYahoo Sports — Euro navel gazing & early troubles for Scottish title hopefuls
- 5:34 PMBBC Sport — Euro navel gazing & early troubles for Scottish title hopefuls
"It has been a tough start to the season for last term's big three in the Scottish Premiership. Reigning champions Celtic stole a march on runners-up Heart of Midlothian and city rivals Rangers considering they won on the opening weekend, albeit by a single goal against a visiting Dundee side many are predicting will be in a relegation battle come the end of the season. On the field of play, Hearts suffered a 6-1 humiliation away to Benfica - their fourth defeat in a row already this season - while Rangers followed up their 1-1 draw away to Dundee United by also losing in the Europa League qualifiers, 2-1 away to Jagiellonia Bialystok.
"Already it is looking like the Scottish title might be won again by the best of a bad bunch, but what can we look forward to this weekend?
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 7, 2026, 5:39 PMEuro navel gazing & early troubles for Scottish title hopefuls
It has been a tough start to the season for last term's big three in the Scottish Premiership. Reigning champions Celtic stole a march on runners-up Heart of Midlothian and city rivals Rangers considering they won on the opening weekend, albeit by a single goal against a visiting Dundee side many are predicting will be in a relegation battle come the end of the season. On the field of play, Hearts suffered a 6-1 humiliation away to Benfica - their fourth defeat in a row already this season - while Rangers followed up their 1-1 draw away to Dundee United by also losing in the Europa League qualifiers, 2-1 away to Jagiellonia Bialystok.
- BBC SportAug 7, 2026, 5:34 PMEuro navel gazing & early troubles for Scottish title hopefuls
Already it is looking like the Scottish title might be won again by the best of a bad bunch, but what can we look forward to this weekend?
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
Europa League•Nov 2, 2026, 8:05 AMAnd another…The Nick Woltemade starting stats for Juventus say it all
Europa League•Nov 2, 2026, 7:12 AMAthletic end Real Sociedad’s four-game league run as visitors protest Berenguer penalty
Europa League•Nov 1, 2026, 5:50 PMAre Celtic club in regression amid run of six defeats in 10?
Europa League•Nov 1, 2026, 9:12 AMCallum Osmand on brilliant Celtic teammate helping with his rapid rise
Europa League•Oct 31, 2026, 11:35 AM“It’s no surprise he voiced his worries,” Chris Sutton
Europa League•Oct 30, 2026, 4:34 PMFive football games you won't want to miss this weekend