Another week and another win for Celtic.
The champions are closing in on an 11th title in 12 seasons and Saturday's clash with Rangers will act as a de facto title party if they emerge victorious. A win will see them 12 points clear with only 21 to play for and their superior goal difference means even the most ardent Ibrox believer will be waving the white flag. Celtic punters, meanwhile, will be waving the league flag as their club look to extend their dominance over their fierce city rivals.
Celtic's superiority alone is the source of real confidence, of course, but there are multiple other factors at play which will turbo charge the belief levels before their great rivals cross the city this weekend. Record Sport looks at the reasons why Ange Postecoglou, his players and their punters will expect another win to savour. And their are more than a few...
Sat's the life
It's often been Sunday service in this fixture but when the game takes place on the first day of the weekend it has been favourable for those of a green and white persuasion. In fact, some of the most storied moments in this fixture during the 21st century have taken place on super Saturdays. From Chris Sutton dumping Frank De Boer on his backside before unleashing the ultimate chip to secure a whitewash to Kenny Miller netting his first Celtic goal to leave Paul Le Guen feeling the blues. There have been Rangers wins on Saturdays, of course, but a trio of of trouncings will be in Parkhead punters' minds walking up to their home stadium this weekend.
And not just any type of wins
Every triumph over Rangers is cherished but three of the best in the eyes of Celtic punters were all Saturday specials. Brendan Rodgers' Invincibles flattened Mark Warburton's side 5-1 and repeated the trick against Pedro Caixinha's side to bookmark a season for the ages. And it was another four-goal pasting earlier this season as Celtic ripped Gio Van Bronckhorst's side to shreds amid a dominant 4-0 win. Celtic fans would rightly point out there have been some signature wins on other days of the week too, but there's no doubt an extra level of dominance appears to come to the fore in the early Saturday slot.
Home record to savour
Beale has set Rangers a challenge by urging them to show off their "fluid football" while John Lundstram is utterly convinced the gap between the big two isn't as pronounced as some believe. But the Ibrox side know a draw is no use and that's not an optimal spot to be in when they are facing a side who have lost only four, yes FOUR, home league games in the past seven-and-a-half years. Rangers have been responsible for two of those, with Beale a key lieutenant for Steven Gerrard, but Postecoglou's side hasn't tasted defeat at home and have only failed to win one since Hallowe'en 2021. Utter dominance is another reason why belief is soaring ahead of the big one.
Calling their shot works
When you've been the dominant force then it would tally Celtic have come alive in the biggest moments. And that has proved correct with multiple moments for Hoops punters to enjoy against Rangers coming at the business end of the season. It's easy to forget now but there was belief within Ibrox over a late title charge on the day Odsonne Edouard put a bow on seven–in–a–row as 10 men went to Ibrox and outlasted Graeme Murty's side.
And a few weeks laters was even more emphatic as Kieran Tierney was in megaphone mode with the Green Brigade after a 5-0 pasting confirmed the title. It was a similar moment 12 months later when James Forrest capitalised on a James Tavernier error to all-but guarantee eight in a row. It was a similar story last season as they travelled to Ibrox and doubled their lead over Rangers to six points en route to title glory in Postecoglou's first season. Once again a party is planned and it's worked out well in the past.
They never stop
Postecoglou promised it during his first training session and it has proved correct. The argument of the best Celtic team of the 21st century is a good debate but no one can argue the endeavour and desire to win every week from the current team appears unrivalled. Since drawing with Dundee United last season in their seventh Premiership match it has been a level of domination like few teams before. During that period they have played 61 league games with their record reading 54 wins, six draws and the solitary defeat coming against St Mirren back in September. Never stopping is anything but lip service and they will once again aim to continue that fearsome run.
READ NEXT:
