Two Celtic stars have a World Cup dream that might just drive Ange's stars past Rangers again - Chris Sutton

Matt O'Riley and Reo Hatate both have a World Cup to aim at. If they show the form to get to Qatar, I’m sure it’ll help Celtic get over the line in a tight title race. The real stuff gets going this week and it’s back to square one for the champions.

Last season has gone and there is now an expectation around Ange Postecoglou and his team that wasn’t there 12 months ago. Last year, Celtic were underdogs going into the Premiership fight. This time they are the favourites and the defenders of the trophy. That’s a whole new type of challenge and pressure.

I expect they will be capable of handling it and I have them as slight favourites, even though Rangers, as last season, will be strong and tough challengers. Postecoglou’s team really kicked on after the winter break last season to get their hands on the main prize and the January arrivals of O’Riley and Hatate were a big part of that.

I see the pair of them as vital to the manager’s ambitions for this term. Callum McGregor is the fulcrum. The captain is central not just to the midfield but to the whole set-up. Unless someone is bought or Aaron Mooy is seen as a potential stand-in, Celtic are going to have to hope their skipper stays sound and in form for the majority of the season because he is the one guy in the set-up just now who they really can’t do without.

O’Riley and Hatate, to my eye, look the first choices beside McGregor and they are going to have to back him up. From what I’ve seen, they are capable. More than capable.

O’Riley will, of course, have to step up again to fill the void left by Tom Rogic. The Aussie is irreplaceable in the sense you won’t get anyone who can replicate what he had in terms of touch and talent.

But O’Riley showed plenty in that