Celtic progression: Ange Postecoglou, the importance trust, banner revenge on cards, shrewd signings but it's not done yet

Ahead of kick-off for Sunday’s Old Firm clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox, the home support unfurled a banner that covered half of the Broomloan Stand.

It read: “This city is ours.” Following Celtic’s 2-1 triumph, it’s hard to agree with such a statement.

Landslide winners of the cinch Premiership last season, Rangers had Celtic where they wanted them, the Parkhead outfit having blown the chance for ten titles in a row and falling behind their Glasgow foes.

Even by the end of August, when Filip Helander’s header gave Rangers a 1-0 win over Celtic and an early lead in this season’s race, it was difficult to see how Celtic could redress the situation in the 2021/22 campaign. Manager Ange Postecoglou had only recently arrived – not even first choice, after a failed pursuit of Eddie Howe – and his signings needed time to settle in. With a new playing style to bring in, some Celtic supporters would have written this season off, planning ahead to 2022/23.

So much has changed in the past six months. The Green Brigade will no doubt already be plotting their tifo retort to the Rangers fans for when they meet at Hampden on Scottish Cup duty on April 17, and the next Old Firm league showdown at Celtic Park, which is likely to be before the month is out. By that point, the title may be all but sealed. Celtic have a commanding lead, six points clear with six games remaining and superior goal difference by 16. Nobody at Celtic – not least Postecoglou – thinks that they have the trophy already under their arm, but this advantage is sizeable. The oddsmen have Celtic as 1/20 to be crowned champions.

How did we get to this point? How has there been a 12-point swing in a matter of months? The departure of Steven Gerrard rocked