Rangers removing banners will prove an easier task than dislodging Celtic as Scotland’s immovable force – Keith Jackson

It was a good soundbite at the time. Perhaps, eventually, even a stick with which to beat Ange Postecoglou when his hurriedly arranged marriage with Celtic began to hit the buffers.

‘We never stop’ was the big Aussie’s tag line as he marched out onto the training pitch at Lennoxtown on his first day on the job. On reflection, 18 months later, he’s proved to be every bit as good as his word. They have not stopped. On the contrary, they have barely paused to take a breath.

But there’s something bigger at play now that the champions are closing in on another domestic clean sweep. It’s no longer merely a case of Celtic not stopping. Rather, it’s beginning to look as if they might be absolutely unstoppable for as long as Postecoglou has his hands on the wheel. It certainly appeared that way for Hearts on Saturday when the men in maroon were mercilessly mowed down on their own pitch and in front of their own fans, despite Robbie Neilson plotting for a place in the last four of the Scottish Cup.

This is what happens when an immovable object becomes an irresistible force all rolled into one and it’s why Postecoglou has spoken about ‘doing something special’ before the current campaign comes to a close in a little less than three months from now.

For the hard understanding, that was Australian code for completing a treble and it’s becoming difficult to envisage anything other than a full house of glittering trophies being wrapped up in green and white ribbons when the curtain comes down at Hampden on June 3. And that’s even before the draw for the Scottish Cup semi finals is completed after tonight’s last eight tie between Falkirk and Ayr United.

One way or another, realistically only Rangers can stand in Postecoglou’s path