There has not been a lot of difference between Celtic and the Rangers this season, with just three points separating the Glasgow giants with eight league games left to be played. They also hold one win each when it comes to derbies this season, and are set to meet thrice more, two more times in the Premiership and also in the Scottish Cup semi-final. It is safe to say that these three games could have a huge impact on how this campaign turns out.
Celtic might be the team with momentum on their side right now but one cannot count the Rangers out.
They have done quite well in Europe recently, winning their tie against Borussia Dortmund, and after a 3-0 win over Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie, it looks like the Rangers are headed towards the Europa League quarter-finals. Thus, Celtic must be on the top their game when they come up against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side.
Former Dundee FC manager, James McPake, appears to believe though that Celtic are the tougher team to face between the two. As reported by the Daily Record, while praising both the Glasgow giants, he said on Go Radio:
"“But if I was to pick one I wouldn’t want to play against – the two of them would beat us! – but Celtic have been the ones that we really struggled against.”"
McPake compares Celtic and Rangers
It is safe to say that Celtic have done tremendously well in domestic competitions this season. They have already won the Scottish League Cup, are in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup and are leading the Premiership race by three points.
It is in Europe that the Rangers appear to be doing better, where they hold some very impressive results. But while the manner of Celtic’s exit might have been disappointing, it must be pointed out that they held their own against the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis, and even got a win against the La Liga side.
Thus, it feels like the title race could go right down to the wire and let’s see which of the two comes out on top.