How has Mikey Moore performed for Rangers?

Mikey Moore has made a significant impact on Rangers, providing the directness on the left flank that the team had been lacking. The 18-year-old loanee from Tottenham has thrived under the pressure of playing in Glasgow, proving to be a successful recruitment win for the club's board.

Why did Hearts struggle in the 2025/26 season?

Hearts experienced a major dip in form during February, failing to register a single shot on target in three consecutive matches. Their struggles were attributed to manager Steven Naismith’s rigid insistence on building from the back against high-pressing opponents, a tactical approach that failed to adapt to the league's physical realities.

What defined Aberdeen’s resurgence in the 2025/26 season?

Aberdeen showed newfound organization and efficiency, notably defeating Celtic 2-1 in November. They effectively utilized a low-block defensive strategy for most of the match before exploiting opportunities on the break, marking a significant departure from their recent history of mid-table mediocrity.

What caused the VAR controversy during the Hibs versus Dundee match?

The Hibs versus Dundee match saw massive confusion due to multiple technical interventions, including a disallowed goal, a rescinded red card, and a controversial penalty decision for a handball. These incidents resulted in excessive technical delays and extended added time, highlighting a growing disconnect between officiating and the use of VAR technology.

Why is Kyogo Furuhashi considered a threat in Old Firm derbies?

Kyogo Furuhashi remains a primary threat because of his movement off the shoulder of the last defender, which is notoriously difficult for SPFL defenses to manage. His ability to score with minimal touches, as demonstrated by his brace in the first Old Firm clash of 2026, allows him to impact games without needing heavy involvement in the build-up.

Top 10: The defining moments of the 2025/26 SPFL season

The Big Picture

The 2025/26 Scottish Premiership campaign hasn't just been a two-horse race; it's been a demolition derby of tactical gambles and breakout stars. From the arrival of high-profile loanees to the collapse of established defensive structures, the balance of power in Glasgow shifted weekly.

The Loan Sharks and the Tactical Shifts

10. Mikey Moore’s Ibrox arrival. When Tottenham agreed to send their prized 18-year-old north, the expectations were immediate and heavy. Moore didn't just settle; he dominated the left flank, providing a directness that Rangers had lacked since the departure of Ryan Kent. As BBC Sport reported, the teenager has thrived in the Glasgow fishbowl, admitting he has loved every second of the pressure. It was a rare recruitment win for a board that has faced constant scrutiny over their recent transfer hit rate.

9. The Tynecastle tactical freeze. Hearts looked like a lock for third place until a disastrous February run where they failed to register a shot on target in three consecutive matches. Steven Naismith’s insistence on building from the back against high-pressing opposition was bordering on negligence. Watching them pass into their own shadows while Motherwell exploited the channels was a low point for the Gorgie faithful. This wasn't just a dip in form; it was a fundamental refusal to adapt to the physical realities of the league.

8. Aberdeen’s Pittodrie resurgence. For years, the Granite City has felt like a graveyard for ambition, but the 2025/26 iteration of the Dons found a spine. Their 2-1 victory over Celtic in November served notice that the mid-table mediocrity was over. They sat in a low block for 75 minutes before striking twice on the break through pure clinical efficiency. It was the first time in a decade that an Aberdeen side looked genuinely organized under sustained pressure from the champions.

7. The VAR meltdown at Easter Road. Scottish refereeing is never far from the headlines, but the triple-intervention during Hibs vs. Dundee set a new benchmark for chaos. A disallowed goal, a rescinded red card, and a penalty given for a handball that appeared to hit the player's chest left both managers fuming. The 12 minutes of added time didn't even begin to cover the technical delays. It highlighted a growing disconnect between the technology and the officials who are clearly struggling to implement it with any sort of rhythm.

6. Kyogo’s Derby brace. In the first Old Firm clash of 2026, Kyogo Furuhashi reminded everyone why he is the most dangerous ghost in the box. Two touches, two goals, and a Rangers defense that looked like they were chasing a shadow in a dark room. He doesn't need to be involved in the build-up to ruin a game plan. His movement off the shoulder of the last man remains the single most difficult problem for any SPFL coordinator to solve.

5. The Motherwell Youth Revolution. While the big spenders relied on aging veterans, Motherwell leaned into their academy with startling results. Starting three teenagers in a crucial trip to St Mirren was a gamble that paid off with a 3-0 victory. Lennon Miller’s performance in the heart of the midfield was a masterclass in composure and ball retention. It’s a blueprint that more clubs in this league should follow instead of recycling the same journeymen every summer.

4. The Rangers Winter Collapse. Leading the league by four points on Christmas Eve, Rangers managed to drop points in four of their next six fixtures. It wasn't just the results; it was the visible lack of leadership when the weather turned and the pitches hardened. Conceding a 94th minute equalizer to Ross County was the moment the momentum officially evaporated. The tactical rigidity shown during this period exposed a squad that lacked a Plan B when their primary creative outlets were marked out of the game.

3. Celtic’s Champions League hangover. Coming off a grueling mid-week trip to Dortmund, Celtic looked completely spent in a domestic Sunday kickoff. The 1-0 loss wasn't an upset; it was an inevitability given the lack of rotation from the coaching staff. You cannot ask the same eleven players to maintain that intensity across two fronts without a drop in quality. The fatigue was evident in every heavy touch and misplaced pass in the final third.

2. The Mikey Moore Loan Extension Debate. As the season nears its end, the conversation has shifted from Moore's on-field exploits to his future. He told the BBC he is open to returning next season if the conditions are right, which has sent the Ibrox support into a frenzy. Keeping a talent of that caliber for a second year would be a massive statement of intent for Rangers. However, Tottenham’s desire to see him tested in a more technical environment like the Bundesliga might scupper the deal.

1. The Title Decider at Parkhead. It all came down to a rainy Tuesday night in May where the league was won and lost in a single frantic sequence. A goalmouth scramble that lasted what felt like an hour ended with the ball crossing the line by a matter of inches. There was no tactical genius here, just raw desperation and a bit of luck. It was the definitive moment that separated the champions from the runners-up in a season that deserved such a dramatic conclusion.