Celtic and Rangers: Destiny in their own hands - but who can step forward and seize the day in compelling title fight?

When the bookmakers are offering odds as short as 1-3 for Celtic to win the Premiership and as long as 5-2 for Rangers to retain it, it provides as clear an indication as any of the way the wind is blowing in the title race.

On the face of it, a three-point lead with 10 rounds of fixtures still remaining may appear too slender a margin to prompt the setting of such a miserly price on Ange Postecoglou’s side seeing out the job and lifting the trophy in May.

But the bookies are simply reflecting the evidence which has been clear to see since the great Glasgow rivals returned to action after the winter break.

Having gone into the rescheduled hiatus with a six-point cushion at the top of the table, Rangers have frittered away that advantage in a manner which is causing understandable alarm and anguish among their supporters.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men have dropped 11 points in their eight league games since the restart. They have now slipped up from winning positions three times during that run, in their draws away to Aberdeen and Ross County and then on Sunday when they were pegged back from 2-0 up to draw 2-2 against Motherwell at Ibrox.

In sharp contrast, Celtic’s 0-0 draw against Easter Road earlier in the day was the first time they have failed to take maximum points since the winter break.

While most observers are in agreement that Celtic’s performance levels have gradually tailed off since their vibrant and comprehensive 3-0 home win over Rangers on February 2, they have generally retained the precious knack of finding a way to win games in different circumstances - an ability which has damagingly deserted their Old Firm foes.

Of course, it is not too late for Rangers to repair that damage. With two more