Neil Lennon believes the title race is OVER if Celtic win the Old Firm.
Ange Postecoglou's men can move 12 points clear of Rangers at the Premiership summit if they leave Ibrox with all three points next week. The Light Blues have picked up four wins on the trot since Michael Beale's arrival - but have been unable to make a dent in the Hoops' nine point advantage due to their relentless form.
The champions have won 18 and lost just one of their 19 games to date and go into the derby off the back of a thumping 4-0 win over Hibs in their own backyard. Rangers defeated Motherwell 3-0 on their own turf to build confidence in their own camp ahead of the blockbuster. Former Celtic boss and favourite Lennon believes victory for the league leaders will spell the end of any title hopes at Rangers this season while he also believes Beale will become more 'media savvy' as he picks up more experience following his previous comments relating to 'integrity and loyalty' at QPR before making the return north of the border.
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Speaking to Football Odds, he said: "You have to say the title race is over if Celtic win the game. 12 points is a lot, and if Celtic win the momentum will all be with them.
"Celtic have not been great in terms of the games earlier on, however when building up to these games, the Old Firm will always be at the back of everybody’s mind. They’ll go into the game with confidence and if they win, there’s not stopping them.
"If Rangers win though, the gap will only be six points and they will believe that the title race is still on."
He continued: "When you go to Glasgow, there’s no middle ground. You’re either the greatest or the worst. With the decision to leave QPR, he has put a target on his back for the media.
"He also did not help himself with his previous comments, where he spoke about integrity and loyalty. He was only at QPR for six months, but it is a testament for the previous job he had done at Rangers. He was a highly sought after coach.
"With experience, he will learn how to deal with the media better and become more media savvy, as his comments have not helped him. I think he is strong enough to brush the criticism off though and get on with the job."
Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos are both out of contract in the summer and are free to talk to interested clubs over pre-contracts come January 1. But Lennon believes Rangers NEED to tie down the Colombian hitman while he admits he would be surprised if Kent was sold.
He added: "Morelos, the board and Michael will have to sit down to where his future lies. If the player really wants to stay, then he should. His goal record is impressive.
"He has always had a shadow of ill discipline over his head and losing control in games and he really needs to grow out of that. However, when he is fit and consistent, he is a very good player who Rangers should keep hold of.
"Ryan Kent is a very good player. He has not been productive over the last six months as he previously has been, but he is a player who is good enough for the Premier League. It will be interesting to see though if he would want to stay or go.
"Hagi is a talented player who will need to have bulked up as he is a little light for the Scottish league, so I’m hoping he will have come back from the break as an improved player.
"However, I will be amazed if Rangers decide to sell Ryan, and I’m not aware of a huge amount of interest for him. He will need to be better in the second half of the season before anyone takes him on."
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