A confident Celtic title chant warns Rangers of their immovability as the real fun arrives – Parkhead analysis

Scoreboard pressure is how Brendan Rodgers described Celtic’s chance to crank up the title tension on Rangers.

By 4.55pm yesterday, the huge electric screens beamed out a 3-0 victory over Hearts and the bullish Bhoys in the stands screamed ‘Bring on the Rangers’ as the screw turned that bit tighter ahead of Gers’ clash with Kilmarnock today. But it was a message delivered on the park that spoke loudest, seven days before the potentially decisive final Old Firm clash of the Premiership campaign.

Kyogo got his first double of the season as Celtic made another confident step towards retaining their title. This was a Hoops side close to playing their best stuff of the season before Matt O’Riley put the gloss on the afternoon with a late third from the spot. If timing really is everything in football then Rodgers’ side appear to be clicking into top gear at exactly the right moment.

Their talismanic No.8 back to his predatory best in the box, a clean sheet and a dominant display against a side that had troubled them all season. On top of all that, the all-important connection is back with the stands and Celtic are in a great place heading into next week’s Old Firm clash here, which could all but seal a third successive crown. It was party mode at full-time as ‘We shall not be moved’ boomed round the ground.

It’s a far cry from the rumblings of discontent that echoed round Parkhead last time the Jambos were in town. That day, in mid December, saw Steven Naismith’s side leave with a 2-0 victory. And with Rodgers’ side having lost at Kilmarnock on their previous outing, the fans turned on the board in furious fashion. Indeed, Hearts were looking to secure a third successive victory over Celtic for the first time in 63 years.

But