Sir Kenny Dalglish believes former club Celtic could pull away from Rangers in Premiership action if the Light Blues fail to join them in the Champions League promised land.
The pair headed into this year's title race with an added incentive of guaranteed elite European group stage football and a £40 million cash prize.
Celtic won that dash with a marathon effort during Ange Postecoglou 's first term in charge at Parkhead, which closed with a 6-0 win against Motherwell on Saturday.
There's still plenty of positivity around Ibrox though after relinquishing their kings of Scotland crown, standing 90 minutes away from immortality.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men face Bundesliga side Frankfurt in Seville this Wednesday during Europa League final action, following that up with a Scottish Cup showpiece against Hearts three days later.
Claiming that £40 million prize would be huge for Rangers according to Dalglish, but it may be a necessity to slow Celtic down.
He wrote in his Sunday Post column: "Right now, you’d have to fancy my former club to win the title again.
"But it’s so, so tight between Celtic and Rangers. There is very little between both teams, as the last three Old Firm games have shown.
"Rangers may well also have financial riches to come their way if they win the Europa League on Wednesday night.
"That will make it all the more interesting, for sure. But Giovanni van Bronckhorst ’s men need to deliver.
"If they don’t, Celtic would likely have a significant financial advantage. Having that kind of power may lead to them being way out in front.
"It all makes for an interesting summer, and hopefully it leads to a tight title race."
