If you’d told Steven Gerrard on the first day of the season, that his side would still be firmly in a title race by February, i’m sure he would have taken it.
That Celtic hold the advantage at this stage, is not wholly unexpected.
When you factor in Rangers’ inconsistency in the league, it’s perhaps surprising that they are still in touch at all.
Ryan Kent scored in a recent win at Livingston, but away form in general has been poor. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Recent results though, suggest the Gers’ task is becoming a little less complicated.
Killie dropping out of the race?
When Kilmarnock took all three points off Gerrard’s men at Rugby Park, it looked as though they were a team in form and full of confidence.
Yet, they have failed to push on since then.
A draw away at Aberdeen and a defeat at home to Hearts, has seem them drop to three points behind the Gers.
Aberdeen held Killie, before taking all three points at Easter Road. (photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
If Rangers can put some distance between themselves and the other challengers, it would make the task ahead a lot simpler.
Instead of a four horse race, it becomes a head-to-head with Celtic.
After the Old Firm win in December, that’s no longer something to fear.
December’s win shows Rangers have the tools to beat Celtic one-on-one. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
They must now string together a significant run of wins, in order to make their own challenge, a reality.