Rangers revival is only feeding Cup Final delusions as Hotline predicts a Celtic slapdown is in the post

Celtic head to Croatia for their next Champions League assignment against Dinamo Zagreb having extended their Premiership lead.

Brendan Rodgers’ team defeated Hibs to move nine points clear in the title race with a game in hand. However, Celtic fans are wary ahead of their team’s trip to the Balkans after some sloppy defending was not punished by David Gray’s side. Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “A very average performance from Celtic, but it was still good enough to win comfortably in the end, showing nowhere near our best. We’re still miles in front of anyone in Scotland, but with two big games coming this week, our defending must improve big time because Hibs cut us open far too easily and far too often, proving how big a player Cameron Carter-Vickers is to us.”

Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, added: “Once again Celtic’s frailties in defence were shown up when Carter-Vickers is absent and, but for the brilliance of Kasper Schmeichel, dropped points would have been on the agenda."

Steve McSherry, Uddingston, is worried there could be a cup shock on the cards. He emailed: "After a shaky defensive performance by Celtic against a Hibs, they will have to sharpen up for next weekend or a major upset could be on the cards.

“Also I was rather taken back by Arne Engels’ rather muted response on opening the scoring. His lack of celebration seemed to me he possibly is disappointed at his lack of game-time and I certainly hope that is not the case.”

Celtic are hunting a rare away success in Europe and Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “There are many deluded Celtic fans on this Hotline. Celtic are notorious for not being able to qualify from play-offs for the Champions League, had it not been for Rangers' much better European record,