Rangers could end Celtic’s season within days as Glasgow power shifts again at Ibrox
Rangers have been told they can end Celtic’s season as they prepare for an Old Firm double-header in the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup.
Danny Rohl‘s side head into Sunday’s crunch clash at Ibrox with a seven-point deficit to league leaders Hearts, but they do have a game in hand.
That game in hand is against Celtic, who are two points adrift of Rangers and also have played a match less than their bitter rivals.
Defeat for either side may effectively end their title push, with Hearts proving to be relentlessly stubborn in their quest for silverware.
Ahead of the latest Old Firm, Hugh Keevins believes the balance of power is shifting to Rangers, something that could be “crystallised” with a home win on Sunday.
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Rangers told to take advantage of Celtic’s shortcomings
Rangers began the season in shambolic fashion, with Russell Martin getting sacked with the Gers sitting eighth in the table in early October.
Rohl has propelled the Ibrox ship since then, while Celtic have tasked Martin O’Neill to guide them through choppy waters for a second interim stint after Brendan Rodgers resigned in late October, along with Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous 33-day tenure coming to an end in early January.
Keevins feels that Celtic have an “undeniably mediocre team” at present, and if Rangers can beat them in the league and then again in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals at home next Sunday, that will be curtains for the Hoops’ season.
He wrote in the Daily Record: “Like having an undeniably mediocre team on the park who, in spite of Martin O’Neill’s best efforts, may pay the price for lack of investment in player resources this afternoon against their greatest rivals.
“The balance of power within the city of Glasgow is shifting from Celtic to Rangers, and that could be crystallised later.
“A second defeat at Ibrox next Sunday in the Scottish Cup quarter-final between the clubs would effectively end Celtic’s season, with all of the attendant discord that would inevitably follow such an embarrassment.”
Conversely, a win for Celtic against their old adversaries could end Rangers’ chance of winning their first league title since 2021. So a lot is riding on these two Old Firm clashes.
Can Rangers end Celtic’s stranglehold on Scottish football?
This has been such a topsy-turvy season for both sides. In different periods, Rangers and Celtic have looked in better shape than the other, but now, they are both looking up to Hearts.
Changing managers, underwhelming signings, and difficult nights in Europe paint the picture of two sides struggling to live up to their former glory.
Indeed, Celtic and Rangers have both won the league on 55 occasions, but at this rate, Hearts are primed to add to their tally of four in 2025-26.
The Gers are not being helped by a growing injury list, but Celtic are also likely to be without Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, and Jota, among others.
In the last decade, Celtic have won nine league titles, with Rangers sandwiched in between that dominance in 2021.
This season, though, Rangers have a more stable ownership in the 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh, while protests continue at Celtic over their leaders.
After a 3-1 win at Parkhead on 3 January, Celtic have won four of their last six league games, with Rangers picking up three draws and three victories in that stretch.
It seems Rangers have the ingredients to one-up their great rivals this term, but anything can happen in an Old Firm derby. Whoever wins this one will deliver a telling blow to the other.
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