Even the most optimistic of Celtic fans would not have predicted the start the Rangers have made under the management of Russell Martin. This has been quite the introduction to the 49ers era, that is for sure. In their first three league games, they have dropped six points, after drawing each one of them. Up next is a Glasgow Derby at Ibrox. If they lose, they'll be nine points behind the Hoops before the end of August.
Of course, Celtic have struggled against the Rangers in recent times. So, they cannot make the mistake of thinking the result of the upcoming Glasgow Derby is a foregone conclusion. They have lost a couple in the previous season under similar circumstances. Anything other than their A-game won't be enough at Ibrox. At least that has to be the thought process of the players.
As for Martin, he is under a lot of pressure even though it has only been three league games. A good portion of the Rangers fans want him to be shown the exit door already.
In the aftermath of the game against St Mirren, he made an interesting revelation. As reported by the Daily Record, Martin said about Hamza Igamane:
"I wanted to bring Hamza on at around 60 minutes, and he said he has a sore quad, so he can't come on.
“He trained fine yesterday, warmed up fine, and when I turned around at 60 minutes because I wanted two strikers on the pitch - that's why Danny (Danilo) and Gass (Djeidi Gassama) ended up there - and Hamza told me he is injured."
Celtic fans will love Chris Sutton's Russell Martin claim live on air
Chris Sutton could not help but wonder whether it was Martin deflecting from the result though. The Celtic hero said while talking on Sky Sports after the game:
"Is he deflecting there a bit, Russell? Another reveal, we saw it at Motherwell."
Of course, those comments can help take the pressure off the manager a bit, that is for sure. Now, a large portion of the narrative after the game is focused on Igamane and why he might not have wanted to come on. One cannot forget that he has been linked with a move away from Ibrox all summer but has not gotten it yet.
None of that should matter to Celtic though. Their focus has to be on the task at hand. That will be winning the next two games, against Kairat Almaty away in Kazakhstan in midweek to qualify for the Champions League and then against the Rangers away at Ibrox next weekend. Easier said than done.