As the pressure ramps up at Rangers, it’s advantage Celtic in the title race.
The Gers’ abysmal run of one win in four Scottish Premiership matches has surrendered an albeit slender lead at the top of the Scottish game.
With four points in it – and Rangers able to pull that back to one with victory over Dundee – it will be all to play for heading into the Scottish top flight’s split.
There may well be more twists and turns to come but there’s a growing sentiment that one fixture in particular could make or break Rangers’ season.
Do Rangers need to go to Celtic Park and win?
The fourth and final Old Firm derby is set to take place at Celtic Park at an as of yet unconfirmed time and date.
Should Rangers overcome Dundee, May 5th is standing out as the date which the SPFL will likely slot this do or die clash into the calendar.
That means that following Dundee and the Scottish Cup semi-final with Hearts, there will likely still be one league match to play for both sides of the Old Firm before they play each other.
No matter what happens in that first post-split game, it will position the Celtic Park clash as potentially the pivotal one heading into the final three matches of the league season.
If Rangers and Celtic are perfect up until they meet again, the Premiership six-pointer will stretch one side’s neck out in front in the title race no matter the result.
Big talk coming out of Ibrox
It suggests that Rangers will need to, at the very least, get something from Celtic Park to keep their title hopes alive.
Celtic stretching out four points in front with nine to play for is an ominous prospect, whilst maintaining a point disadvantage with a draw is only marginally better.
Rangers then need to go and put their money where their mouth is and face-up a full to capacity, raucous Celtic Park without a single bluenose in their corner.
Despite this, there’s plenty of big talk coming out of Ibrox.
Cyriel Dessers – who is under immense scrutiny for repeatedly missing big chances – has claimed that Rangers are ready to “hurt” Celtic.
“We showed on Sunday we can score three goals against a good team and also in the previous two games, obviously we lost them, but I don’t think it was fully deserved,” said the striker.
“We showed we can hurt them and if we’re a little more lucky – like with the first goal – and we can take our moments then we can get a good win there.”
The Nigerian international isn’t the only one whose been talking big ahead of the match either.
Todd Cantwell shared images of a bust-up on social media, whilst James Tavernier insists the team’s mentality has been proven time and again.
“I think we have shown it plenty of times, the mentality,” said Tav after defeat to Ross County. “But as I said you have to earn the right to win games and we didn’t do that.
“That is the disappointing factor. When you do get the chances in front of goal you do have to be more clinical and put the ball in the back of the net.”
Even Philippe Clement was out claiming we were the “moral winners” against Celtic in comments which look increasingly ill-judged.
Rangers look like they’re going to have to go to Celtic Park and win to deserve lifting the title.
OK then lads, it’s time to go and put your money where your mouth is.
Your Rangers careers are depending on it.
