Scottish Premiership champions-in-waiting Celtic can finally push themselves over the line and land a seventh winner's flag in a row by beating bitter rivals Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday afternoon. The feuding neighbours go at it from 12pm in a match played out live in front of the Sky Sports cameras and bookmakers can't see past the locals.
Ex-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has worked wonders during his short time in Glasgow and stands on the brink of a historic double-treble. The Bhoys went through last season's domestic campaign unbeaten, picking up Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup gongs, while making real progress in the Champions League.
Celtic striker Moussa Dembélé is a transfer target for Villarreal, who are planning a £15m summer move. (Source: Daily Express) pic.twitter.com/tSn2wQneWo
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 19, 2018
They have been unable to match that pristine record this time – going into this leg with stats of 22-9-3 – but they already have their hands on the League Cup, beating Motherwell with ease, are favourites to better the Steelmen again in the final of the Scottish Cup at Hampden on May 19, and have both hands on the league trophy ready to lift it aloft.
This year's success will be number seven on the bounce and despite being heavily linked with a return to the English Premier League with Arsenal, Rodgers seems keen on finishing what he started and giving the Hoops a record-breaking 10 in a row.
Mathematically, Celtic could still lose their league crown but it's not very likely, with rivals Rangers and Aberdeen struggling 10 points behind with only 12 to play for. Victory on Sunday will finish the job and what better place to do it than in front of their own fans and what better team to do it against than Rangers, rubbing it in the faces of the Bears who haven't finished on the top step since 2011?
Rangers did get a draw at this venue earlier in the season when holding on for a 0-0, but bookies have another share of the spoils written off at 7/2 - the top price is from Betfair. That's deemed a more likely outcome than the away win, which can be found doing the rounds at 11/2 with Betfred. It's a nice offer but it will be friendless on the day as the Gers haven't beaten the Bhoys in 90 minutes since March 2012.
In that time, the head-to-head stats read 10 Celtic wins against three draws. The champions have enjoyed some major triumphs at this venue during that run including the 5-1 win of September 2016. Enjoying the party atmosphere coming from the stands, the home players will be eager to put on a show and that means you can trust FT bet of the day, which says to back Celtic to win -1 goal on the handicap at 7/5 – the top offer comes from Betfair.
Prefer to keep it simple? The straight home win makes plenty of appeal at 8/15 with the same firm, and that will be popular in accumulators. Those with a bit more bottle and wearing a hooped shirt can take their chances on another 5-1 thumping win at a stunning 60/1 (Betfair).
Rangers will silence doubters and clinch second place insists Graeme Murty https://t.co/SKzfj6QvOd pic.twitter.com/eRrORnKXrP
— Daily Record Rangers (@DR_Rangers) April 21, 2018
This will be the second meeting of the clubs this month, with Celtic strolling to a 4-0 success in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup at the national stadium on April 15. Rogic, McGregor, Dembele and Ntcham were all on target that day and as well as reminding the opposing changing room of the size of the gap that exists between the clubs, they sent Rangers over the edge and into a deep, dark hole.
Ross McCrorie was sent off early in the second half, they were beaten 4-0 by their gloating neighbours, and Andy Halliday was involved in a confrontation with a fan after being subbed five minutes before the half-time whistle. Captain Lee Wallace and long-serving striker Kenny Miller were involved in a dressing room bust-up with manager Graeme Murty – both men have since been suspended and look to have played their last game in blue. Finally, Dave King told the press that stand-in boss Murty will be out of Ibrox in time for the summer. Fans hope he takes half the team with him. Either way, Rangers fans will be hoping that this weekend provides some welcome, if short-lived, joy.
