Kenny Dalglish plots Rangers route to the title but 'threatened' Celtic theory receives Brendan Rodgers caveat

Confident Kenny Dalglish has named Celtic as the "team to beat" in the Scottish Premiership title race this season.

However, he admits a "monumental effort" from Rangers could derail the Hoops bid to make it three titles in a row next season. Michael Beale has been busy this summer with the Ibrox squad receiving a complete overhaul. Eight new signings are in the door so far this summer, and Jose Cifuentes expected to arrive from LAFC before the opening game of the season against Kilmarnock.

Despite the overhaul, Dalglish reckons that the Celtic side "packed with winners" will start the season as favourites - as he pointed to Brendan Rodgers' previous track record in Scotland. The former Parkhead boss reckons if Light Blues boss Beale has any chance of claiming the title he will have to improve Rangers derby day record in recent seasons. Writing in the Sunday Post, Dalglish said: "Celtic, quite rightly, start as favourites.

"They are the team to beat. They have won the title in the past two seasons and won it comfortably.

"Their squad is packed with winners and they know how to get the job done. It’s hard to see past Callum McGregor lifting the trophy again. Rangers have threatened on a number of occasions but too often for them they have fallen short of Celtic.

“In his first spell as Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers knew how to beat the Gers and that’s why they won every domestic trophy they competed for under him. So, with 12 points at stake, the games between both sides will have an enormous bearing on where the title ends up.

Celtic are going for glory once more as they embark on a new era.

Brendan Rodgers is back as manager as the Treble winners target another season of domination in Scotland and a shot at glory in