Brian Laudrup fires Celtic title warning in loaded Rangers reminder as he draws 'team to beat' parallel

Brutally honest Brian Laudrup admits Celtic go into the Scottish Premiership season as title favourites - but warned everyone was tipping dethroned Rangers for success this time last summer.

Ange Postecoglou 's champions begin their league campaign against Aberdeen on Sunday having not suffered defeat in a league game since last September, with a return to the Champions League group stage for the first time in five seasons just around the corner. The Australian has built on what he has, retaining loanees Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Daizen Maeda on permanent deals while adding Benjamin Siegrist, Alexandro Bernabei, Aaron Mooy and Moritz Jenz to his squad.

Across the city, Gio van Bronckhorst has been reshaping last season's Europa League finalists and Scottish Cup winners following the departure of key men Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey. Ibrox fans will be hoping that the win at Hampden over Hearts in the final game of last season is just the start of the Dutchman's trophy haul as boss with seven new recruits arriving at Ibrox in this window.

Former Ibrox hero Laudrup reckons there has been some savvy spending from sporting director Ross Wilson this summer that could see them regain the title. In contract, he reckons the overall consistency at Parkhead could be vital when it comes to deciding the title.

While handing Celtic the tag of title favourites, he offered a pointed reminder that Steven Gerrard's Rangers were heavy favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the campaign last term. Writing for The Daily Mail, Laudrup said: "I like the look of how Rangers have spent so far.

"There's a tremendous mix within the seven signings made a bit of everything, really. I feel it's going to be an incredibly tight contest