| Venue: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow Date: Sunday, 3 April Kick-off: 12:00 BST |
| Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland, stay textual content commentary on the BBC Sport web site, highlights on BBC Scotland from 19:15 |
Three factors. Seven video games. Two Old Firm derbies. That is what stands between league leaders Celtic and reigning champions Rangers of their battle for the Scottish Premiership crown.
The penultimate league derby of the season this weekend presents Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s aspect with a possibility to maneuver stage on factors with Ange Postecoglou’s males.
But do Rangers must win Sunday’s showdown to maintain their title hopes alive?
Biggest league derby in additional than a decade
In league phrases, you need to trawl again 11 years to seek out an Old Firm derby with this stage of magnitude.
Every encounter between the Glasgow pair is large, of course, and early-season clashes can affect the course of the title race, however not because the 2010-11 marketing campaign has it been as tight at this stage.
After 31 video games, it was Rangers – led by Walter Smith – who held a slim one-point benefit with only one head-to-head remaining within the remaining seven fixtures.
Both received six of these video games, with the odd one out a goalless draw within the final Old Firm conflict of the marketing campaign – a decisive end result that may in the end swing a 54th title to Govan.
Until 12 months in the past, it was the final time the Ibrox membership had received Scotland’s prime flight.
Would six-point hole be insurmountable?
With 18 factors to play for after Sunday, Van Bronckhorst’s aspect – crushed 3-0 at Celtic Park in February – actually could be giving themselves a mountain to climb in the event that they have been to lose successive derbies.
Rangers let a four-point lead slip within the remaining six fixtures of the 2007-08 season, however by no means within the twenty first century has a Scottish top-flight aspect blown a six-point benefit with as many video games remaining.
Goal distinction presents one other problem for Rangers, with Celtic’s superior by a margin of 14, which might show nearly as good as some extent come the end of the marketing campaign.
It means Rangers would doubtlessly want Celtic to drop seven factors if they’re defeated on the weekend – however Postecoglou’s juggernaut have dropped simply six of their previous 24 video games.
It seems crucial to the Ibrox side’s title hopes that they don’t let their rivals go away with a victory, one thing Celtic have managed simply as soon as of their previous seven journeys to Govan.
Post-split schedule throws up headache
Regardless of what occurs on Sunday, nothing might be determined. There will nonetheless be six video games to play, however who can have the hardest job selecting up factors in these contests?
What we all know for positive is Rangers journey to St Mirren and Celtic host St Johnstone of their remaining video games previous to the league splitting subsequent weekend.
Beyond that, the SPFL are set for one more scheduling nightmare that’s assured to throw up controversy.
For sure, each groups will play out the ultimate derby of the season at Celtic Park. They will even each face Hearts, who’ve booked their place within the prime six with a wholesome 14-point cushion in third.
It remains to be anybody’s guess who will make up the ultimate three positions within the prime half, however the SPFL’s must strive get both sides 19 video games at dwelling and away will probably end in one of the highest two travelling someplace for a 3rd time.
There isn’t any simple repair…
Will Europe be an impediment for Rangers?
Remember 2008? That was the final time Rangers made it this far in Europe – once more beneath Smith – and there’s a sense of deja vu in regards to the fixture pile-up that resulted within the Ibrox membership throwing away the 2007-08 title.
Rangers made all of it the way in which to the Uefa Cup remaining that season, and with Braga awaiting of their Europa League quarter-final this time period, there’s a actual alternative for Van Bronckhorst’s aspect to succeed in the final 4.
The Ibrox aspect even have an Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final to come back in a season-defining April. Fighting on all fronts is nothing uncommon for these Glasgow aspect, however may it hamper Rangers’ title bid?
With Celtic out of Europe, Rangers are at the very least assured two further video games in a gruelling end to the marketing campaign. Passage to a Europa League semi-final will improve that tally to 4.
While reaching the final 4 – and doubtlessly a remaining – could be an unbelievable achievement, the prize of profitable this season’s Premiership can’t be downplayed, given a Champions League group place for subsequent time period is all however confirmed for the winners.
‘Massive month begins on Sunday’ – evaluation
Former Rangers and Scotland midfielder Graham Dorrans on BBC Sportsound
Rangers have an enormous month developing, nevertheless it’s only one sport at a time for them simply now.
They want to focus on the Old Firm developing subsequent, they should go and win that league sport. The final derby was disappointing for them, Celtic blew them away with their begin.
But Rangers have performed effectively since and so they’re enjoying effectively on the minute, they should proceed what they’re doing.
Ex-Rangers striker Mark Hateley on BBC Radio Scotland
The largest sport of Rangers’ season is on Sunday. You’re in search of the group to placed on a efficiency – and a great efficiency.
Of late, the larger the sport, the higher the efficiency has been. This is the place belief comes with the scale of your squad.
