The Premiership title race has now become a lot clearer after Hearts beat Rangers on Bank Holiday Monday.
In truth, a draw would have suited Celtic, but by the time the Glasgow derby concludes this Sunday, Rangers could mathematically be out of this three-way title battle.
Once again, Danny Rohl’s side took the lead but suffered defeat, and it has left Ally McCoist worried ahead of the weekend, as he has labelled his former side as ‘mentally weak.’
Jeff Stelling: “It might not be because, obviously, the next Rangers game is against Celtic. You think Rangers might want to do everything in their power to stop Celtic.”
McCoist: “You would think so. The only problem is that they look mentally weak. That’s the problem.
“They have got nothing, well, I am saying they have got nothing to play for, which is a ridiculous statement when it’s a Rangers and Celtic game, and you still have the Champions League at stake.”
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Ally McCoist expresses worry ahead of final Glasgow derby of the season
By the time Celtic and Rangers kick off on Sunday, Hearts could be six points clear of the current champions of Scotland if they beat Motherwell on Saturday night, and also knock those at Ibrox off the podium.
That’s why many Celtic supporters will be hoping loanee Stephen Welsh can provide his club with a helping hand, just like he did against Rangers several weeks ago.
Whatever the scenario for Rangers, you just know they will turn up to Parkhead to try and spoil Celtic’s title push.
But speaking on talkSPORT after Hearts downed Rangers, McCoist suggested that he doesn’t have much confidence in the Gers getting anything from the derby.
The former Scotland striker rightfully listed the number of times Rangers have taken the lead and dropped points, including the 2-2 draw against Celtic in March, when Reo Hatate came off the bench to make a difference.
McCoist: “Hearts, great result, fantastic result. I genuinely hope they go on and win it now, because they deserve it. I was just looking, they have, unless I am mistaken, played Rangers and Celtic seven times, and they have won five and drawn one. That in itself is quite incredible.
“I know they have Celtic to play again, the final game of the season, which could be vital. It might not be, by the way.”
Jeff Stelling: “It might not be because, obviously, the next Rangers game is against Celtic. You think Rangers might want to do everything in their power to stop Celtic.”
McCoist: “You would think so. The only problem is that they look mentally weak. That’s the problem.
“They have got nothing, well, I am saying they have got nothing to play for, which is a ridiculous statement when it’s a Rangers and Celtic game, and you still have the Champions League at stake.
“But I am not sure they are mentally strong enough; that is the only thing that would concern me.
“I look at Rangers. 2-0 up against Celtic. Played for 45 minutes. 2-0 down against Livingston at half-time. Played for 45 minutes. Motherwell 2-0. Played for 45 minutes. There is a common theme there. Falkirk away. Getting beaten and battered in the first half. They can’t play 90 minutes.
“You can have all the talent in the world. But if you don’t have a will to win and a mental strength, then you don’t win anything. If you don’t have all the strength in the world or the ability in the world. Rangers don’t have that either. If you are mentally weak, then you have no chance.”
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