NafisaRangers have been handed a fresh warning about their Scottish Premiership title ambitions after a frustrating weekend saw them lose ground on Celtic at the top of the table.
Derek McInnes’ side travelled to Dens Park knowing that a victory over Dundee would give them the opportunity to leapfrog their Glasgow rivals, at least temporarily, in the title race.
Instead, the Gers were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw in an entertaining encounter on Saturday night, missing a valuable opportunity to put pressure on Martin O’Neill’s side.
The result left Rangers needing Celtic to slip up if they were to close the gap at the summit, but what happened the following afternoon made the situation even more difficult for the Ibrox club.
Celtic responded in emphatic fashion, dismantling Hearts 7-1 at Parkhead to underline their attacking threat and strengthen their position at the top of the standings.
With nine league matches played, O’Neill’s side now hold a four-point advantage over Rangers, leaving McInnes with little room for further mistakes if his team are to remain firmly in the title conversation.
And the latest Opta Analyst supercomputer projections have delivered another significant blow to Rangers’ hopes.
According to the figures reported on Monday, Celtic are now given a 74.88 per cent chance of winning the league, compared with just 22.92 per cent for Rangers.
Hearts, despite their heavy defeat in Glasgow, retain a slim 2.14 per cent chance of claiming the title.
The numbers illustrate how dramatically the weekend’s results have shifted the statistical outlook, although they are projections rather than a verdict on how the season will ultimately finish.
Rangers face an uphill battle after dropping points
A draw away from home against an in-form Dundee side is not necessarily disastrous in isolation. Rangers had enjoyed a strong winning run, and maintaining that momentum indefinitely was always going to be difficult.
However, the timing of the dropped points makes the result particularly frustrating for McInnes and his players.
Rangers had an opportunity to apply pressure on Celtic but failed to take full advantage. Celtic then produced a seven-goal performance against Hearts, turning what could have been a weekend of opportunity for the Gers into one that strengthened their rivals’ position.
The challenge facing Rangers has also been shaped by their difficult start under McInnes. Having fallen behind early in the campaign, they have been attempting to make up ground while Celtic continue to collect points.
There remains plenty of football to play, including further meetings between the two Glasgow clubs. Those fixtures could provide Rangers with opportunities to change the picture, but they will need to improve their consistency before those decisive encounters arrive.
Too many more dropped points would make the task increasingly difficult.
Supercomputer predicts lower points total for Rangers
The latest projections also raise questions about Rangers’ potential final points tally.
Based on the reported Opta Analyst estimates, Rangers are projected to finish the campaign with 66 points, while Celtic are expected to reach 72.
Those figures would represent a disappointing outcome for Rangers when compared with last season’s final standings.
The Gers finished third last term with 72 points, while Celtic collected 82 points on their way to the championship.
The current projections therefore suggest Rangers could finish six points below their previous total, with Celtic also projected to fall short of last season’s points haul.
Such estimates can change considerably as results come in, particularly with so much of the campaign still remaining. Nevertheless, they highlight the scale of the task facing McInnes if Rangers are to challenge for the title.
Ibrox clash becomes crucial for Rangers
Rangers cannot afford to spend too long dwelling on the Dundee draw, with their next assignment already approaching.
McInnes’ men are due to host St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday, and securing three points will be essential if they are to prevent Celtic from extending their advantage.
Celtic, meanwhile, travel to face Hibernian on Sunday, meaning Rangers will have the opportunity to put pressure on the league leaders before they take to the pitch.
The situation is far from settled, and Rangers still have time to make up ground. Their remaining head-to-head fixtures against Celtic could also prove significant.
But after a weekend in which Rangers dropped points and Celtic scored seven goals, the statistical picture has become considerably less encouraging for the Ibrox side.
The response at Ibrox on Saturday will be important. Another setback would only increase the pressure on McInnes, while a convincing victory would give Rangers a chance to restore some momentum in a title race that is beginning to tilt towards Celtic.
Nafisa
