Celtic have the opportunity to open up a 12-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership tomorrow with second-placed Rangers not playing until Sunday afternoon.
Since the return from the World Cup break, the Bhoys have played after Michael Beale’s team in the matches not played against each other or at the same time, giving the Ibrox side the chance to close the points gap until we kick off.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have predictably dealt with this well, responding time and again to maintain the healthy nine-point advantage heading into the new year.
This weekend is the first opportunity to really pile the pressure on last season’s runners-up and open up a double-digit lead at the summit to test the bottle of the Ibrox side – who have a tricky trip to Tannadice on the agenda.
Celtic ruined the chasers’ chance to close the gap significantly on Monday with a late Kyogo Furuhashi equaliser. Beale himself later admitted the title was now ours to throw away.
But nothing’s won until it’s over and Celtic forging ahead to a 12-point lead in January would be the perfect way to enter a period when cup action also enters the equation.
Kilmarnock are unlikely to make it easy – no doubt sitting in deep to defend a point – but the form table is in the home side’s favour tomorrow. Derek McInnes’ outfit have the worst away record in the entire league with just two points from a possible 30.
Ange Postecoglou and his players never talk about the points gap. Their mantra is one game at a time and not focusing on other teams. But the situation is undeniable – going 12 points clear tomorrow ramps up the jeopardy for Rangers at Tannadice, make no mistake.
Hopefully it’s another brilliant weekend to be a Celtic fan.
In other news, Cameron Carter-Vickers prepared new Celtic signing for Ibrox ‘toxicity’ ahead of derby.
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