The Scottish Premiership returns this weekend as Celtic look to prolong their stay at the top of the table by defeating Aberdeen tomorrow on home soil.
Making a perfect domestic start, the Hoops are on a ten-match domestic winning run and continue to set out their credentials for a fourth league title on the trot.
Nevertheless, Aberdeen join Celtic on maximum points at the top of the Scottish Premiership, setting the scene for an enthralling Parkhead encounter where either side could seize the initiative in the first instalment of top-flight fixtures after the international break.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CelticCeltic | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 21 | 21 |
| 2 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 21 |
| 3 |  RangersRangers | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| 4 |  MotherwellMotherwell | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 13 |
Posing an alternative dynamic from the last few seasons, there is definitely anticipation from the wider Scottish football landscape that a different type of challenge could be presented to Brendan Rodgers’ men this term.
However, Aberdeen aren’t the only side keen to land a blow on Celtic in the future, as one of their other league rivals have aspirations of putting themselves forward as future contenders.
Neil Critchley addresses closing the gap on Celtic
After being appointed as Heart of Midlothian’s new boss, Neil Critchley believes his side’s new analytics-led approach can help them close the gap on Celtic in the future, claiming the jump to becoming regular challengers isn’t an ‘insurmountable’ task.
He explained [Scotsman]: “It’s always something to whet your appetite, I think. Everyone knows the top two are the dominant, aren’t they? They have been for a number of years. But at some point, why can’t that gap be bridged? It’s not insurmountable.
“To do that, though, you have to think differently first. So maybe this is a different type of appointment. I think that shows you maybe the direction the club wants to go into.
“And with a different type of thinking and what we might be able to achieve in terms of recruitment, etc, then who knows what might happen in the future?”
Celtic will welcome any future Scottish Premiership challenges
Celtic are a well-oiled machine fuelled by winning, so you imagine internal faces won’t be too bothered by anyone who dares to take their Scottish Premiership crown.
Ultimately, being the team to beat in Scotland, other sides having aspirations to knock you off your perch comes with the territory.
The Bhoys have claimed 12 of the last 13 league titles available, which is evidence that they don’t usually let the thoughts of others impact their psychological harmony.
It would be nice for the Scottish game if there was a more competitive landscape at the top of the table, but Celtic only care about delivering further silverware regardless of external noise.
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