Permutations: What do Rangers need to finish second and how can Partick avoid the drop?

With Aberdeen and Rangers battling for second place and Hibs now solely looking at finishing ahead of Rangers, there is much to play for with teams fighting it out for a European spot.

At the other end of the table there is Hamilton, who are all but safe, Partick Thistle and Ross County fighting against the drop. 

But going into the final day, what result will ensure each team finishes exactly how they want to?

The fight for European spots

Aberdeen

Having ensured a top 3 finish for this season, Aberdeen will be looking to ensure they finish ahead of arch rivals Rangers by winning at Parkhead on Sunday.

The Dons travel to Parkhead knowing that a point will be no good to them, should Rangers beat Hibs at Easter Road on the same day.

Second place could be extremely important, not only to Aberdeen but whoever finishes in the position.

This is because of the Scottish Cup final. As things stand the rules state that the side that wins the Scottish Cup is entitled to entering the Europa League Qualifying at the second round.

This is instead of the first round, where the teams finishing second and third enter.

Should Celtic beat Motherwell however, that spot into the second round becomes available to the team that finishes second in the league. 

That as it stands is Aberdeen and they will be keen to hold onto second place with the hope and expectancy that Celtic will be victorious against Motherwell.

It is worth noting however that Aberdeen have not beaten Celtic on any of the last 10 occasions with Celtic being victorious on each of those.

Craig Thomson is the man with the whistle for this one on Sunday, with the ref having issue 123 yellow and 11 red cards in his 36 matches this season.

Rangers

A turbulent season, involving three different managers, comes to an end for Rangers this weekend. Second place is still very much up for grabs and the Gers know a win against Hibernian, coupled with Aberdeen not winning at Parkhead, will ensure second place for them.

Even a draw with a Celtic victory would be enough to for Rangers to snatch second place away from underneath Aberdeen’s feet. The draw Rangers achieved at Pittodrie, just the other night, could prove to be invaluable as their vastly superior goal difference will ensure second if Aberdeen and themselves are locked on the same points come 90 minutes on Sunday.

As touched upon earlier, finishing second in the league could be invaluable to Rangers, as it would allow new gaffer, Steven Gerrard, even more time to ensure he has his playing squad ready for the forthcoming season.

The job for Rangers will be a long one but fans will hope a positive summer will bring them one step closer to arch rivals Celtic. The referee for the game at Easter Road on Sunday is Andrew Dallas, who has issued 129 yellow cards and 7 reds across 33 games this season.

Hibernian

Following on from their 2-1 away defeat to Hearts on Wednesday Hibs will be looking to finish the campaign on a high after fans’ expectations had be raised ten-folds.

Sensationally Hibs gaffer Neil Lennon announced that he may not continue as Hibs manager following this game, citing that finishing 4th would be “unacceptable”. Hibs however are not resigned to 4th but would need a monumental performance against 3rd place Rangers to leapfrog them.

Sitting 3 points and 10 goals behind Rangers it would take a once in a lifetime performance by the Hibees to make a reality. Possible, just not probable, the challenge that awaits Hibs should ensure a pulsating encounter at Easter Road.

Although Lennon claims that a 4th placed finish would be embarrassing for his club, it will still have been a positive season for Hibs who, let's not forget, have just been promoted to the Premiership this season.

The battle at the bottom

Hamilton Accies

Hamilton Accies are all but safe entering the final day of fixtures. Three points, but more importantly a difference of 13 goals, splits Hamilton to their nearest challengers below, Partick Thistle.

The Accies, who have lost 22 games this season, more than any other team in the league, face Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon. Concluding the season against their most bitter rivals is something which will push the Accies players on as Motherwell will have one eye on their Scottish Cup final the following weekend.

Hamilton, who have registered 2 wins and 2 defeats against Motherwell this season know anything but a complete capitulation will ensure Scottish Premiership survival. Referee Alan Muir will take charge of this one, with the whistler having produced 122 yellows and 4 reds in his 32 matches this season.

Partick Thistle

The signs aren’t good for the Jags who know that a Ross County victory this weekend will ensure that they need a win to confirm that they do not finish bottom of the league. Thistle are effectively resigned to the play-offs at best following their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell on Tuesday.

That defeat ensures the Jags’ cannot catch Hamilton unless there is a string of freak results that would see them destroy Dundee and Hamilton collapse against Motherwell. The issue has been with scoring goals for Thistle, they are the lowest scoring team in the league by a considerable number of, six to be exact.

And although they haven’t conceded the least their goal-difference is by far the worst in the league, sitting at minus 31. And having only won once away in the league all season the Jags need to buck trends if they are going to collect the 3 points. The referee for this one is Steven McLean who has showed 134 yellow cards and 4 red cards in his 37 matches this season.

Ross County

Ross County travel to Perth this weekend to face a St Johnstone side who are ending the season with a bit of fine form. The Staggies, currently bottom of the league by 2 points, know that nothing short of a win is good enough to secure their Premiership place.

County know that with a win for them and even a draw for Partick Thistle in Dundee will ensure the Jags finish bottom. This is the only way for County survival, into the playoffs, a victory for themselves, coupled with a Thistle defeat or draw at Dens Park.

County, who have won the fewest league games this season, 6, will need a monumental performance from their squad to avoid automatic relegation. Anything but a County win and they will be playing Championship football next season.

The referee for Saturday’s crunch match in Perth is Nick Walsh, who has produced 118 yellow cards and 7 red cards in his 31 games this season.