If the last two Celtic matches have taught us one thing, it’s that our eastern rivals are pretty rank rotten and there for the taking, if only Rangers can get our act together on the domestic front.

Losing their captain is a big deal – think Rangers losing Tavernier, and as such they are very much vulnerable.

They travel to McDiarmid today expecting to win but following busting their guts in Germany, anything is possible, as we saw in Paisley.

Which is where Rangers’ challenge is too – we host the Buddies today, fresh off their giant scalp in the form of Stavros’ men, and we very much do not want to slip up in the same way.

It’s very much a significant day in the title race, and indeed, every matchday following a European fixture is going to be now.

Celtic are far from at the races, and frankly, neither are Rangers.

There’s a lot less between the sides than Celtic fans believe and indeed Rangers fans likewise, and while Rangers’ domestic results have seen a draw and a defeat already this season, Celtic are only two clear which is nowhere near the gap their arrogance would have expected or some Rangers’ fans defeatism anticipated.

Where does it go now?

It’s very much play by ear.

Both sides are going to slip up this season, more than once. Stavros’ previous immunity was brought down to earth when Europe returned, just as his 3 Euro exits in a row last year presented him with initially. A hugely false narrative began when Celtic, putting all their eggs in the SPL basket, went on a huge domestic run, while Rangers slipped up thanks to two matches a week for the whole season.

Now there’s parity.

Of course, it’ll be interesting to see where it goes once both sides inevitably tumble out of the UCL before Xmas, both being completely out their depth at that level.

Both will then be putting all eggs in the league basket, and as Rangers fans, we hope our side has enough to win a big league title this season.

Time will tell.