Sir David Gray
20-12-2009, 12:26 AM
Just a wee stat that may be of some interest to some people.
Since the SPL became a 12 team league in season 2000/01, only twice before has the 3rd placed side had a bigger lead over the 4th placed team at Christmas, than they have this season.
Also, if Hearts get something against Celtic later today, it'll be one of the best seasons in terms of how close the team in 3rd is to the team in 2nd at Christmas.
Season 00/01
Rangers-9 points ahead of 4th and 2 points behind 2nd. (Hibs finished 3rd and Rangers 2nd) Rangers finished 16 points ahead of Hibs.
Season 01/02
Livingston-4 points ahead of 4th and 5 points behind 2nd. (Livingston finished 3rd) Rangers finished 27 points ahead of Livingston.
Season 02/03
Hearts-Level on points with 4th and 20 points behind 2nd. (Hearts finished 3rd) Celtic finished 34 points ahead of Hearts.
Season 03/04
Hearts-Level on points with 4th and 12 points behind 2nd. (Hearts finished 3rd) Rangers finished 13 points ahead of Hearts.
Season 04/05
Aberdeen-1 point ahead of 4th and 12 points behind 2nd. (Hibs finished 3rd and Aberdeen 4th) Celtic finished 31 points ahead of Hibs.
Season 05/06
Hibs-7 points ahead of 4th and 4 points behind 2nd. (Rangers finished 3rd and Hibs 4th) Hearts finished 1 point ahead of Rangers.
Season 06/07
Aberdeen-4 points ahead of 4th and 1 point behind 2nd. (Aberdeen finished 3rd) Rangers finished 7 points ahead of Aberdeen.
Season 07/08
Motherwell-3 points ahead of 4th and 3 points behind 2nd. (Motherwell finished 3rd) Rangers finished 26 points ahead of Motherwell.
Season 08/09
Dundee Utd-Level on points with 4th and 12 points behind 2nd. (Hearts finished 3rd and Dundee Utd 5th) Celtic finished 23 points ahead of Hearts.
So, as you can see, last season was the only time where the team that has been 3rd on Christmas Day hasn't finished in the top four at the end of the season, since the SPL became a 12 team league.
I'm not suggesting that we should be looking out our passports just yet but things are looking quite good at the moment! :thumbsup:
Since the SPL became a 12 team league in season 2000/01, only twice before has the 3rd placed side had a bigger lead over the 4th placed team at Christmas, than they have this season.
Also, if Hearts get something against Celtic later today, it'll be one of the best seasons in terms of how close the team in 3rd is to the team in 2nd at Christmas.
Season 00/01
Rangers-9 points ahead of 4th and 2 points behind 2nd. (Hibs finished 3rd and Rangers 2nd) Rangers finished 16 points ahead of Hibs.
Season 01/02
Livingston-4 points ahead of 4th and 5 points behind 2nd. (Livingston finished 3rd) Rangers finished 27 points ahead of Livingston.
Season 02/03
Hearts-Level on points with 4th and 20 points behind 2nd. (Hearts finished 3rd) Celtic finished 34 points ahead of Hearts.
Season 03/04
Hearts-Level on points with 4th and 12 points behind 2nd. (Hearts finished 3rd) Rangers finished 13 points ahead of Hearts.
Season 04/05
Aberdeen-1 point ahead of 4th and 12 points behind 2nd. (Hibs finished 3rd and Aberdeen 4th) Celtic finished 31 points ahead of Hibs.
Season 05/06
Hibs-7 points ahead of 4th and 4 points behind 2nd. (Rangers finished 3rd and Hibs 4th) Hearts finished 1 point ahead of Rangers.
Season 06/07
Aberdeen-4 points ahead of 4th and 1 point behind 2nd. (Aberdeen finished 3rd) Rangers finished 7 points ahead of Aberdeen.
Season 07/08
Motherwell-3 points ahead of 4th and 3 points behind 2nd. (Motherwell finished 3rd) Rangers finished 26 points ahead of Motherwell.
Season 08/09
Dundee Utd-Level on points with 4th and 12 points behind 2nd. (Hearts finished 3rd and Dundee Utd 5th) Celtic finished 23 points ahead of Hearts.
So, as you can see, last season was the only time where the team that has been 3rd on Christmas Day hasn't finished in the top four at the end of the season, since the SPL became a 12 team league.
I'm not suggesting that we should be looking out our passports just yet but things are looking quite good at the moment! :thumbsup: