It’s the repeat of the Scottish Cup final from last season on Sunday when Celtic take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
However, the game will be played against the backdrop of Rangers dropping more points in the 2025/26 Premiership season, and more pressure being put on Russell Martin.
Rangers required a stoppage-time James Tavernier penalty to record a point against Dundee on Saturday evening, and now Brendan Rodgers and his Celtic side will be looking to capitalise against Aberdeen.
It’s the same old story in Glasgow, and one man who has seen it up close and personal is Billy Dodds.
- READ MORE: Hugh Keevins lists five reasons why he’d put his ‘state pension’ on Rangers beating Celtic today
Billy Dodds on Celtic ‘chance’ after Rangers drop points to Dundee
Even though Celtic have dominated in Scotland for nearly two decades now, the pressure each season is always greater than the last.
But Dodds thinks the current crop of players at Rangers ‘struggle’ when the pressure is on, as they proved against Dundee.
Dodds was Barry Ferguson’s assistant at Ibrox on an interim basis last season, and he reacted to Celtic having the chance ‘this early in the season’ to go four points clear if they beat Aberdeen, as he told the Scottish Football Podcast.
“The pressure is on the players as well,” said Dodds.
“When you start dropping points, and Celtic have a chance to go four points ahead of them this early in the season, the next time you take the pitch, Russell Martin will prepare, pick his team and play whatever style he wants.
“But it’s the players he picks that have to go out there and make sure they are going to get wins.
“Sometimes, you know and you have seen it, this group of players struggle when the pressure is on, so it’s the players for me that are going to face the most pressure.
“The manager will have some sort of pressure, but that comes with being in charge of a big club.”
Celtic to go seven points clear of Rangers?
The 2025 summer transfer window has divided opinion at Celtic, and Rodgers has been pretty vocal about it.
As a result, there has been an air of negativity around the place, but Celtic still beat St Mirren on the opening game of the season, and could go four points clear of Rangers if they see off Aberdeen.
But it could be seven, and even more, if Celtic win at Ibrox at the end of the month, and that would really rub salt into the wounds.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
