Celtic legend John Hartson feels that Rangers are capable of pushing Celtic all the way this season, but insists that the Hoops will believe they can come out on top.
Rangers moved to the summit of the Scottish Premiership table after their 2-1 win against Hearts on Sunday and showed that they can win ugly, emerging as victors with ten men.
Steven Gerrard’s side have managed a consistent run of results since the defeat Livingston in September to keep up with Celtic.
The Bhoys still have a game in hand and can open up a two-point lead over Rangers if they can win the game.
But Hartson is now sure that the Rangers challenge is genuine and Celtic are in for a fight for the Premiership title.
“Rangers went to the top of the league at the weekend for the first time since they were back in the top flight. And I think Celtic will appreciate that they are in a challenge for the title now”, Hartson wrote in his column for the Evening Times.
“There are no medals handed out in December.
"There’s no prizes for sitting at the top of the league 14 games in.
“Celtic won’t be craning their neck to look over the fence.
"They’ll be wanting to simply go and win their own games and concentrate on what it is that they need to do.
“But I believe it is a genuine title challenge and I also believe that Celtic will be strong enough to prevail and come out on top."
Brendan Rodgers led Celtic to their first piece of silverware at the weekend in the shape of the Scottish League Cup and the Bhoys continue to be widely rated as title favourites.
