Rangers on the Brink

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has fanned the flames ahead of his side’s must win clash with Hearts on Wednesday night by seeming to suggest that the Edinburgh side didn’t compete with title rivals Rangers on Saturday. The Ibrox side will win the SPL with a game to spare if the Bhoys are defeated at Tynecastle. The bookies still expect the fight to go to the final day though with Hearts rated as 6/1 shots with Skybet to cause an upset. Celtic are 1/2 to take all three points with Coral.

Lennon sparked the controversy after Rangers overpowered third placed Hearts 4-0 on Saturday.
“What we are looking for is for somebody to compete and give Rangers a game. There has not been much evidence of that in the previous two games,” he added.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies baulked at his counterpart’s words, and the perceived view that there was a lack of effort on his team’ s part.  “We played to try and win the game. I thought it was a little disrespectful,” he said.

The Celtic boss has since claimed that his comments were misinterpreted, but Bhoys fans may fear that the spat will now inspire a particularly committed display from the Old Firm’s nearest challengers, against them.  Lennon knows what Hearts are capable of having lost 2-0 in Edinburgh in January. However, his comments appeared to ignore the fact that his side also won 4-0 over Jefferies’ team last time they met at Celtic Park.

Whatever happens at Tynecastle, Rangers will be crowned champions if they win at Kilmarnock on Sunday. The Gers are a best price of 1/8 to lift the trophy, with Celtic pushed out to 13/2 with PaddyPower.