What the third Rangers and Celtic clash of the season really means when it comes to who wins the title

When Celtic and Rangers come together everyone has an opinion on how this fixture will shake out.

Some believe current circumstances is king, while others subscribe to the old adage that form goes out the window when the Old Firm go head to head.

But what can't be denied is the third encounter out of four has proven to be critical when it comes to winning the league.

Every match counts but the penultimate showdown often appears to be where titles are won and lost.

Gio van Bronckhorst and Ange Postecoglou have plenty to concern themselves in the here and now but a trip down memory lane raises a compelling narrative.

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Record Sport looks at what winning, or at least not losing, the third league encounter means for Rangers and Celtic 's title hopes.

Rangers were dominant in Dick Advocaat's second season in charge and picked off Kenny Dalglish's side to open up a 12-point lead. Celtic controlled this one for long spells but their territorial advantage didn't yield a goal and that allowed Rod Wallace to strike in the closing exchanges.

Rangers were streets ahead and would go onto trounce their great rivals 4-0 at Ibrox in the final league encounter.

Who won the league? Rangers at a canter. They secured