The Christmas No.1s - Are They Champions in Waiting?

What history tells us about Scotland’s Christmas league leaders, plus the clubs to beat both Rangers and Celtic twice in the same season

Hearts will be top of the league on Christmas day in 2025 - with a clear points lead over both Celtic and Rangers. Their 2-1 win over Rangers means they will be 12 points ahead of the Gers and they are 6 points ahead of Celtic after the Hoops’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen (although Hearts have played a game more than both).

It’s the first time any team outside of Celtic and Rangers have been top at Christmas since Aberdeen were ahead on goal difference in 1993-94.

This article details:

• the 13 clubs that have been top at Christmas in any season since 1890.

• the 12 clubs that have been top & NOT gone on to win the league!

• the biggest leads held by the team at the top at Christmas time.

• all occasions where a team has inflicted two defeats on BOTH Celtic and Rangers in the same season.

• the occasions where a team has achieved that double with home & away victories against both.

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HOW OFTEN DO THE CHRISTMAS LEADERS PREVAIL?