The Scottish title race is suddenly very much in the balance

Last Saturday certainly was a day to forget for poor old Allan McGregor. He got up at the crack of dawn to travel the 187 miles north from Ibrox to Dingwall for a lunchtime kick-off, and will wonder why he bothered. The hapless Pope’s Newc O’Rangers keeper endured a shocker, fumbling a cross that let Ross County back into the game, then inexplicably letting a bobbling ball ping off his chest in the last few seconds of added time, teeing up a Staggie to slam home from close range and deny the champions a couple of precious points. It’ll have been a long four-hour drive home after that carnival display. And an uncomfortable one, too, if several items later discovered along the southbound A9 – three square wheels at Aviemore, a radiator with steam parping out of it near Pitlochry, a large water-filled flower and bucket of glitter outside Perth – were anything to do with him. Reports remain unconfirmed. Honk.

What we do know for certain is that his team’s quest for an historic Two in a Row is suddenly very much in the balance. The champions have been unconvincing of late, also shipping points from a winning position against Aberdeen, and only just squeaking past ersatz Meadowbank Thistle tribute act Livingston at home. The Queen’s Celtic, by contrast, have suddenly developed something of a swagger, winning 12 of their last 13 matches in all competitions and drawing the other. In fact, confidence is so high that manager Ange Postecoglou feels able to drop folksy aphorisms such as “I don’t just sign players, I sign people” unselfconsciously, and without being fingered in the press as a Rodgers-Brent wannabe. (The “very mature” Matt O’Riley, £1.5m from Franchise FC, since you ask.)

As the bitter rivals prepare to throw hands at