Celtic captain Callum McGregor reckons Rangers' exploits on the continent prove his side is operating at a top level.
The Hoops look on course to win back the Premiership and sit six points clear going into Sunday's derby at home to the Ibrox men.
That comes after Thursday night's Europa League semi-final with Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the Light Blues taking on RB Leipzig in Germany.
McGregor, one of four nominees for PFA Scotland Player of the Year, insists that shows the title hopefuls are going great guns.
It's the closest race for the championship McGregor has experienced in his time among the senior Hoops squad as he said: "I would say it is (as close as the two teams have been).
"Both teams are going really well. Rangers are going really well in Europe as well, which shows you they level they're at.
"And that in turn shows the level we're at and the level we're reaching. It's really exciting for Scottish football.
"These kind of title races are always good for the product of Scottish football."
The final derby takes place at Parkhead on Sunday, just a fortnight after the Ibrox side edged out the Hoops 2-1 following extra-time in the last-four showdown at Hampden.
Celtic, however, have a chance to banish that disappointment as victory on Sunday would take them nine points clear of their city rivals with a superior goal difference and only three games to play.
Asked if the Hoops players already viewed themselves as title winners, captain McGregor cautioned: "No, no. We can't think like that or speak like that. We understand there's a few games to go and we understand the meaning of the game at the weekend.
"We can take a huge step towards it if we perform well and get a victory. That's the full focus. The reason we've been successful is we've taken each game as it's come and given 100 per cent in that game. That's what we'll do at the weekend.
"Obviously it's a huge game. But we also have to stay calm and commit to the way we want to play. We didn't do ourselves justice in the semi-final, so it's as much about trying to rectify that. If we do that and put in a strong performance, everyone else will have a great day."
