Ex-Celtic star Shaun Maloney believes that the Rangers result against St. Mirren was playing on the minds of the Parkhead team as they stumbled against Kilmarnock.
The Gers dished out a convincing 3-0 win at Ibrox as Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park in what was the first major twist of a high-pressure season.
It might only be two games in – and Rangers fans will resist getting carried away – but in a season of tight margins this could be a telling result come May.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene [originally broadcast 09/08/20] Maloney reluctantly admitted that the fact Rangers had already beaten the Buddies heaped the pressure on the Hoops.
“I think Ideally not [when asked if Celtic had been negatively impacted by the Rangers result],” said Maloney.
“But I think at half time if it wasn’t the first team staff the support staff would’ve let them know.
“And as the game goes on maybe they become less patient, so, ideally not, but unfortunately it does just seep in towards the end of the game.”
Having spent 10 seasons at Celtic Park as a player, winning five Scottish Premiership trophies with Celtic across two spells, Maloney knows plenty about an Old Firm title race.
The other five during his time in Glasgow were won by fierce rivals Rangers.
It’s telling that an individual with such experience of high-pressure Old Firm title races could empathise with such a scenario despite being only two games into the Scottish Premiership season.
Rangers have won their opening two games without conceding whilst Celtic were the first to stumble in what promises to be an iconic season in Scottish football.
