The Old Firm Derby is alive and kicking as the Scottish PL title race heats up, but can Rangers prevent The Bhoys from claiming their third consecutive domestic title, or will Brendan Rogers and co. continue their reign as the giants of Scottish football?
The Scottish Premier League Battle for No.1
Celtic are still in first place, albeit by a razor's edge, amid a wild and unpredictable season thus far.
Brendan Rodgers' squad is still only three points ahead of its Old Firm opponents, even after their dramatic come-from-behind win against Hibs last time out. However, Rangers cling to a game in hand, and should the boys in blue win said game in hand, they’ll level their rivals at the summit.
Rangers: Back from the dead
Midway through October, Philippe Clement took over for Michael Beale at Rangers, and few were forecasting a tightly contested championship campaign.
He took over a team that was low in self-assurance, having trouble winning games in Europe, and, in the eyes of many, not even in the championship hunt. However, after a 10-point lead for Celtic early in the season, Rangers went on a 16-game winning streak under the Belgian coach and narrowed the margin to five points with a game in hand.
With a contentious 2-1 victory against their Old Firm rivals just before the year's turn, the champions recovered and went into 2024 with an eight-point lead, thanks to Rodgers' squad.
The drama continued; Celtic then lost ground against Aberdeen, and the deficit was further narrowed as Rangers won the first of their two games in hand after the winter break.
Following that, Clement's squad tied the Hoops with 58 points after 24 matchdays with a win against Aberdeen. After their Hibernian triumph, Celtic bounced back atop the table, extending their lead to three points, but notably played one more game than their rivals.
Scottish Premiership 2023/24 Winners Odds at the Bookmakers
When evaluating the best UK betting apps for customers, Celtic is expected to successfully defend its crown based on the odds. With that said, we have witnessed Rangers in this exact same position earlier this year.
Celtic 4/5
Rangers 10/11
Hearts 500/1
Kilmarnock 4500/1
St Mirren 4500/1
Celtic and Rangers Title Chase: A Closer Look
Who is going to win the 2023/24 SPL title?
Celtic was the answer a few months ago, but it’s impossible to predict right now.
The Hoops are currently in the lead and have the points secured that Rangers are yet to acquire. They have a home game against Ross County on February 14 with an opportunity to even the tally.
Both clubs will then be required to navigate eight league games before another Old Firm match could be a deciding factor. Before April 13, Rangers will also have to contend with three Europa League games, and two Scottish Cup matches are possible for each side.
Despite occasional discontent in the stands and a gradual erosion of their lead, Celtic have demonstrated that they can produce excellent results when the battle gets tough.
Rangers, meanwhile, have demonstrated they are also in this contest for the long term by improving their results and increasing fan confidence at Ibrox.
In addition to form, however, additional factors enter the equation. Much can alter between now and the end of the season, including the mindset required to cross the finish line in a title race, playing in Glasgow's goldfish dish and unavoidable squad issues caused by injuries or suspension.
Rangers have won the league only once in the last 12 seasons, in 2020/21, when they prevented Celtic from completing a tenth straight championship.
Not only does manager Brendan Rodgers know what it takes to win a championship, but so do many of his players. He won a pair of league crowns and an unassailable treble during his first stint in Glasgow.
There may have been tight races for Scotland's top slot based on league tables from prior years, such as 2022. But the truth is that the championship was already wrapped up, and the last time there was a serious title competition was in 2010–11 when Rangers won the league on the last day of the season.
Crucial Fixtures Ahead
Before the league is divided into a top half and bottom half after April 13, Celtic have eight games left to play, one less than Rangers.
It will be a hectic run-in, with both teams having Scottish Cup matches to squeeze in and Rangers being in the Europa League knockout round.
When the two teams meet at Ibrox on April 6, it will be the third Old Firm match of the season, and everyone will be watching. If Rangers want to improve their championship hopes, they must break Celtic's perfect record against them this term.
A Celtic team plagued by injuries emerged as winners over Beale's Rangers at Ibrox in September. Kyogo once again proved to be the decisive factor, contributing to a 2-1 victory on December 30 in the East End of Glasgow.
When Celtic and Rangers face each other again, there may be little difference in their positions. However, the Old Firm knows they must handle their upcoming matches before the Ibrox fight since there will be another league encounter after the teams are divided.