Neil Lennon believes Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers have responded superbly to last week’s Old Firm drubbing at the hands of Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic, speaking to talkSPORT (10 February, 9am).
For the first time since 2010/11 – when a Gers side containing Maurice Edu, Steven Naismith and El-Hadji Diouf pipped their Glasgow neighbours to top spot – we have a genuine title race on our hands north of the border.
One with more twists and turns than a Hollywood blockbuster. Only time will tell whether there will be a Shyamalan-style twist in the final act.
Celtic were stuck in sixth following a 1-0 defeat to Livingston in September.
Last week, they reached the Premiership summit for the first time since August, thumping the reigning champions 3-0 in a performance that epitomised everything good about this Postecoglou team.
But, despite that knockout blow at Parkhead, Rangers have clambered off the canvas, ready to fight again.
They thumped Hearts 5-0 in perhaps their best performance of the post-Steven Gerrard era on Saturday.
And last night’s 2-0 victory over Hibernian, while more functional than thrilling, was a reminder of this side’s ability to grind out the most controlled and professional of victories when the pressure is on.
Can Rangers still beat Celtic to the Premiership title?
“It’s nip and tuck now. Celtic obviously got a huge lift (by beating Rangers) and they’re playing really well at the minute,” says Lennon, who preceded Postecoglou in the Parkhead hotseat.
“Rangers’ reaction to losing was excellent. Big win against Hearts and a good win last night. I always felt it was going to be nip and tuck (this season).”
Returning from international duty, Alfredo Morelos has scored three times and provided one assist in his last two outings. He took his tally to 16 for the campaign with a thumping finish against Shaun Maloney’s Hibs.
And Aaron Ramsey, arguably the most high-profile signing made by any Scottish team since Paul Gasgcoine in the 1990s, is closing in on match sharpness after a pair of cameo outings.
Celtic may be in pole position right now. But if Postecoglou dares to look, he’ll see Rangers revving in his wingmirror.
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