Rangers go into the worldwide break of champions Celtic following a weekend of activity in the Scottish Premiership — nevertheless are they currently the favorites to win the title?
Steven Gerrards facet leading the way moving into the global fixtures that this month looked highly unlikely at the beginning of September – theyd just lost the very first Old Firm game of the year as extended their ideal start to the national effort.
But, four wins from four with 17 goals scored and only one conceded since then has pushed them.
Celtic have allowed momentum slip and their lead before agreeing to their first league defeat of the season with a 2-0 loss at Livingston on 33, after dropping points away to Hibernian.
There has been a swing in target gap between the two sides too, with Rangers wins over Aberdeen and Hamilton wiping out after hitting on 12 goals in their opening two fittings Celtic advantage which had been gained.
Neil Lennons side will probably point to tough fixtures away at Easter Road – a floor where Brendan Rodgers didnt win against Lennon during his time in the club, paradoxically at the league – and about the plastic pitch at Livingston. However, 1 point from six represents a worrying yield from a side who was imperious from the league ahead.
Gerrard says it is too early for title talk before faltering season after Rangers spent time – but are things different this time around? Who will be the favourites?
Just a fool would predict who is going to win the Premiership but at least we have a suitable title race. We have not actually had one to the last few years but there is a genuine feeling in Scotland which theres a title race this moment.
Rangers fans believethe Rangers dressing area will feel and its going to be the same at Celtic and it is extremely exciting for its impartial.
December will be a critical month – it is. And the fittings in December are tough for both groups. That month, whatever unwanted picks up more things, that will stand them in good stead. Look at Celtic this past year, following the Christmas break, they were totally on it, however, Rangers wont make the very same mistakes that they did last year. It can change so quickly.
Last season was a learning curve for Rangers. Allan McGregor, Steven Davis – those men have been around before, but when a great deal of the time Rangers dropped points last season froze and let them back in.
Sunday revealed a change. Celtic lost and the thinking waswe will need to win, and it was solid in the 5-0 victory. It is back to what it was like years.
In a name race, if you perform you are desperate to win to place the team who plays moment under pressure and Celtic are currently in a situation that they have not been in for a lengthy time – they will have to win every match again as I think Rangers are ready to push them and there will not be numerous points dropped from both sides to the other teams.
Thats precisely the reason why it may come to the Old Firm games. Rangers have revealed they are becoming more than a game for anyone but they froze outside the previous time in Ibrox against Celtic.
Neil Lennon wont panic – you are under pressure at Rangers and Celtic. When you fall points sometimes it isnt a bad thing to get the international break because there will be shock theyve lost to Livingston and you can get away. Sometimes cliques can form from the area -is that he pulling his burden orare they working hard . It does occur.
On the opposite negative for Rangers, when youre winning games is keep playing. Theyre creating a lot of chances and scoring goals – Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe have scored 24 goals between them, its a return given they arent currently playing at each match and together.
I feel Celtic are suspension or still an Odsonne Edouard accident from being in a difficult position. Theres no doubt he is the person who gets them tick. He was silent on Sunday and Celtic were poor. That would be a concern for the money they have spent – they are away from facing a uphill task at a title race, 1 harm or suspension.
Titles have never been obtained in October; its a marathon, not a rush. On the first evidence, the fate of the years Scottish Premiership championship will not be decided until the last fittings in mid-May.
Theres absolutely no doubt that Rangers have a squad now than a year. Gerrard has generated thickness but his force that was most significant are his two strikers. In shape and as long as Morelos and Defoe stay fit, Rangers will last to inculcate lower opposition house, for example Hamilton and away. Among Gerrards key demands pre-season was that his team reveal more consistency in outcomes, and so far theyve delivered.
Lennon must sit and sip on Celtics inept showing at Livingston through the global break, however he may be content at the beginning they have made into the season, particularly given that the rebuilding task required in defence throughout the summer. Seven of the next nine games of Celtic in all competitions have been such as four of their five league games, so that they have a opportunity.
Both supervisors have observed far too far in football to get into hyperbole and title talk. Lennon has already gone head to head using Rangers over the course of a complete season in 2010-2011, the last time there was an authentictitle race in Scotland. He had been pipped by Walter Smiths Rangers – 92 points which year was not enough to make the tournament that is Celtic.
Gerrard, obviously, knows from his time as a participant with Liverpool to not seem too far forward, after his infamous slide in the Premier League run-in of 2014. If Rangers are still in the running after the team breaks from the spring, then his very own personal, painful experiences may prove crucial in maintaining his players attention.
What both men understand is they face a test of their managerial skills. Squad management and spinning will be overriding, particularly during December – if a crucial couple of games for the two teams will inform us a lot more.
Celtic now have eight league games, and Rangers seven, arranged for December, although this can change if both sides (or both) reach the League Cup final. On paper, Rangers program is trickier, with trips to Aberdeen, Motherwell, Hibernian and Celtic; Celtic sponsor Aberdeen, Hibernian and Rangers but travel to confront Hearts at Tynecastle. Whoever comes out of their Old Firm showdown happier on December 29 will carry momentum into the winter .
After January comes, anticipate reinvestment in both squads – and where the credit card may be held by Celtic that is due to their sizeable fiscal benefit. In case a gap has to be bridged, Celtic could take action it is unlikely Rangers could match them in a bidding war.
Last month, Rangers dropped their first match after the winter at Kilmarnock, while Celtic won eight consecutive league games, setting a speed their rivals could not match. The winners are over this class before – Rangers are unproven at lasting the space, but are better placed than ever before to battle.
Are they title favourites? Not – ask me again in January…
There have been interesting developments in the title race after both sides had contrasting results last weekend, gambling between the Old Firm.
Before a ball was kicked in August, Sky Bet were 1/3 Celtic and 9/4 Rangers for the title but obviously those odds have moved considerably as Rangers went two points clear at the summit at the weekend. Sky Bet now provide 4/6 about Celtic claiming their title and 6/5 Rangers in what looks a right shootout for the crown because its 250/1 bar.
The bookies are cheering on Celtic because theyre definitely the greater result while Rangers are a significant failure in the book as punters have got supporting the Gers after their remarkable start to this season. Sky Bet have laid 9/4, 7/4, 13/8 and are currently 6/5 following the weekend results and have seen good support at all those costs for Gerrards men.
Celtic are now 6/1 to do a complete clean sweep of national honours having been short as 7/2 sooner in this season. Rangers are still considered second best against their neighbours in both the cup competitions and therefore are 20/1 to perform the national treble but that may change as both sides have avoided each other at the semi-finals of their Betfred Cup in November and a possible Old Business final is on the cards.
Premiership name odds from Sky Bet:
4/6 Celtic (was 1/3 start of season)
6/5 Rangers (had been 9/4 beginning of year )
It is disappointing, especially entering the global break when youve got a few weeks until your next match. But its good for you as well.
We have lost the lead during the season before and we have managed to bounce back. This team has that grit and openness to win. It was not our day [against Livingston]we did not perform.
But it is a long season and we know we could do better.
I am not going to become involved in almost any top-of-the-table talk. Concentrate on the match, and my job is to win football games, and as most as I can. Theres a break now and that I worry about what I must do in order to attempt to overcome Hearts. Thats all I will concentrate on.
It is still very early days in this season. I have mentioned to the players to not get carried away, there is a whole lot of work. We have got to improve, we have still got to grow. However, the response to this question is yes, we are much better than a year ago, and yeswe are more powerful. The 11 is more powerful, the squad is stronger, and weve got people coming back from injury. So we are at a good location.
Look, its October. There is still tons and a lot of football to be played. Our way was come by this time in the previous block of fixtures we lost an Old Firm 2-0 and a lot of criticism, and therefore because we did not work on the day. So this was deserved by us.
This time round weve won four out of four in the league and lot of strong, favorable performances, particularly here at home, we have demonstrated a lot of appetite and aggressive play around us. So thats what I am looking for, but its October and there is no point worrying about where we reside at the league or getting hauled away.
Rangers face a visit to perform with Hearts upon their return to Premiership action after the rest. A win in this fixture last season saw Gerrard take his side of this table to the very first time in his reign but it was not to endure for long. Gerrard will be cautious of falling points, Although in the table sit.
Gerrards team have to compete with a Europa League trip to Porto before hosting prior to a lengthy midweek trip north to perform Ross County on October 30.
Celtic return to Parkhead after the worldwide break where theyll look to get back to winning ways against Ross County. The consequences of Lazio from the Europa League along with St Mirren domestically come both sides of a trip north to face Aberdeen on October 27.
Lennons side have a remarkable record at Pittodrie in recent times but this really is a wounded Aberdeen with plenty to prove after their 5-0 defeat at Betfred along with Ibrox Cup quarter-final exit to Hearts.
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