By Joshua Granger

THE Scottish football season is looking like a close-run race, and the transfer window which closes this weekend could play a major factor in who takes silverware.

The Scottish Premiership has witnessed the most competitive league season in over a decade, with Tony Bloom’s data-driven Hearts sitting four points clear at the top as Rangers and Celtic are looking to knock the Jambos off the top of the league.

The January window could play a critical role in the title race, with each of the three clubs showing different levels of ambition. League leaders, Hearts, have had a fantastic season so far, showing a tremendous level of ambition so far in the transfer window, signing St Johnstone’s Josh McPake and FK Skopje’s Rodgers Mato on pre-contracts.  

Derek McInnes’ side has also signed Islam Chesnokov from Kazakhstan league side Tobol Kostanay, along with Rodgers, on pre-contracts and loan signing of former Jambo Marc Leonard from Birmingham City till the end of the season.

Rangers have been extremely active this window as they look to keep building momentum under Danny Rohl, who has brought the Gers back into the title race after a terrible start to the season under Russell Martin. Danny Rohl’s side has signed  Andreas Skov Olsen, Tuur Rommens and Tochi Chukwuani.

As for the champions Celtic, they have had a turbulent season as Martin O’Neil has returned for a second stint following Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous 33-day reign, and the incomings have been hard to come by for the Hoops, with only two loan signings coming in: Julian Araujo from Bournemouth and Tomas Cvanacara from Borussia Monchengladbach. The lack of transfer activity has left a lot of fans frustrated.

With under a week left of January window it will be interesting to see if Hearts, Rangers or Celtic will make a signing which could influence the destination of the title.