Rangers given welcome Celtic bonus after development this week

Kenny Miller believes Rangers facing Celtic at Parkhead just four games into next season could be an early bonus for Philippe Clement's side.

Writing in his column for the Daily Record (30 June) after the SPFL released the Premiership fixtures for 2024/25, BBC Sport pundit Miller said that the Gers have the chance to put down an early Old Firm marker.

While that may not sound like a bonus, Miller suggested that Philippe Clement's side won't have as many must-win games to play prior to facing their rivals, thus won't be under as much pressure at Parkhead.

Miller wrote: "When the SPFL released the fixtures last week, I was actually relieved.

"Getting an Old Firm derby against Celtic just four games in is a bonus - it means Rangers have fewer must-win games before they go to Parkhead."

"There will be a demand put on them - go and challenge a Celtic team they couldn’t lay a glove on last season."

Rangers can show Premiership title credentials early next season

Facing their biggest rivals just four matches into a brand new season is a potentially ominous task for Clement and his players, but the feeling could be very similar on the other side of Glasgow.

The Belgian is massively overhauling the squad at Ibrox, with five incomings and five outgoings apiece already this summer, and that means there's plenty of unknowns going into the new season [Fraser Wilson, 3 June].

Despite pipping the Light Blues to a Premiership and Scottish Cup double last season, Celtic will be facing an almost entirely different set of players and a brand new test of their recent record against the Gers [Chris Sutton, 15 June].

Clement is yet to defeat the Hoops in four attempts, the most recent of which was that last-gasp Scottish Cup final loss at Hampden Park, but with a squad built in his image, the fourth match of next season could be the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker in the title race [Chris Sutton, 25 May].

In other Rangers news, the club have been given a boost in their transfer pursuit of a former loanee.

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