Celtic are strolling to the Scottish Premiership title at a canter.
Brendan Rodgers won’t allow complacency to creep in, either, with the manager a perfectionist who will demand his players go out and earn every point before the end of the season.
That they are 14 clear of rivals Rangers already, though, will be music to the manager‘s ears and shows the total dominance from Glasgow’s east end this campaign thus far.
It would take an almighty collapse from Celts to lose the race now considering Gers have dropped so many points including in their most recent two fixtures.
- READ MORE: BBC pundit says Brendan Rodgers is keeping Celtic duo ‘on their toes’ ahead of Rangers clash
Kris Boyd has already spoken of his Rangers nerves ahead of the derby day.
And with the next one coming round the corner in just a few days, there is the opportunity to leave Philippe Clement’s squad lying in the dirt.
Whether or not Celtic land the killer blow on January 2 at Ibrox means little in the grand scheme of things, though – at least in one former Light Blues midfielder’s view.
Andy Halliday reckons Thursday’s match is nothing more than a “dead rubber” as he expects Celtic to win the trophy at the end of term regardless how this one plays out.
The Motherwell star is sure even the most ardent Gers supporter can acknowledge that their mountain is now too steep to climb.
Andy Halliday believes Rangers vs Celtic is a ‘dead rubber’
“Listen, it’s a dead rubber in the respect that has no bearing in where the championship’s going to end up,” Halliday said on punditry duties for Clyde Superscoreboard.
“This early in the season, but it’s a fact.
“I don’t think there’s any, the most optimistic Rangers fan out there thinks that if Rangers win the game on the 2nd of January, there’s a potential they can go on to win the league title.
“It’s just not going to happen.
“And the fact of the matter is, it’s a sad indictment of where Rangers are domestically at the moment.
Celtic are coasting to yet another Premiership title
“But again, I always try and be honest in my thoughts.
“And I really, really don’t think that Philippe Clement helps himself with some of the comments he makes after games.
“I’ve said it for a while and again, going on to that Boxing Day game at St Mirren, all his talk post-match was, ‘Oh do you know what, first half was unacceptable but we were excellent second-half.”
Gers captain James Tavernier urged his side to be more clinical against Celtic but that gave fans a chuckle considering their recent form.
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