Scottish Football / John Girvan / 25 September 2009 / Leave a comment

John Girvan looks back with regret at last week's failed Old Firm multiple but is raring to go again this weekend with Rangers expected to overcome the handicap against Aberdeen...

"Rangers start this one at 1.33 in the Match Odds and that’s quite big given the circumstances. The three points look a bit of a certainty as it’s a bit of a must-win game for the Ibrox side and it could pay to back a convincing home win. Rangers -1.5 goals is available in the Asian Handicap at 1.94."

Backing the Old Firm multiple proved costly for a second consecutive week as Rangers were held at Kilmarnock. As expected Celtic netted twice at home to Hearts but only just and as The Jambos took a five minute lead it wasn't enough to beat the 1.5 goal handicap. Hibs were the silver lining though and made light work of newcomers St Johnstone, touching [2.0] before kick-off, the same price they were at Hamilton the previous week.

Profit/Loss: +4.99pts

Celtic right-back Andreas Hinkel this week claimed his side already have a vital advantage over Rangers in this season's championship race. The new league leaders are just two points in front of the current champions and we have no fewer than 33 games to get through, including four Old Firm meetings but the German points to the fact his side have already faced four of last season's top six. He might be onto something given how close it's been in recent seasons but there is a long way to go.

Given the fact Celtic dropped points in eight of their 17 non Old Firm away ties last term then this Saturday's visit to New St Mirren Park is a test of their title credentials. They will be looking to get back to the form of the previous season where it was only three they slipped up in but, with a largely similar squad to last season, that's easier said than done. The match is live on ESPN and the lunch time kick-off gives Tony Mowbray's men the opportunity to set the bench mark for Rangers who face Aberdeen later in the afternoon.

St Mirren moved into their new home in January but Gus MacPhersons' men have yet to turn it into a fortress. They have played 10 SPL home ties in this period and the record is woeful reading 6 draws, including 2 this season, and four defeats. They notched up two Scottish Cup wins on their way to last year's Semi-Final however and ironically one of those victories was against Celtic.

One player Celtic will certainly be keeping an eye on in is Saints attacking midfielder Stephen McGinn. The 20 year-old netted in his debut at Celtic Park last January and has also scored a famous winner against Rangers in his short professional career. He has featured heavily for Gus MacPherson this season, starting all seven league and cup matches, and the youngster has repaid his gaffer big time with four goals thus far, including the first in Tuesday's Co-op Insurance Cup win at Kilmarnock.

St Mirren will have a go and will get the backing from a loyal home crowd who will be taking confidence from the recent Scottish Cup win. Celtic will be fancied to come through this one but [1.37] is a little on the short side and in-play backers might want to speculate with some of the [10.5] on offer for the hosts with money to be made if they go in front at any stage.

A tight game could be in prospect however - a penalty separated the sides the last and only time they have met here - and despite Celtic's goal rush at Falkirk in midweek the smart money is on Under 2.5 goals at [2.06]. St Mirren +1.0&+1.5 goals in the Asian Handicap also appeals at [2.01] where a profit is yielded should the visitors drop points or only win by a one goal margin.

Rangers host Aberdeen this weekend in the first of three big home matches which, even at this early stage, could shape their season. Walter Smith's men go into this one off the back of two straight league draws after having a man sent off in each and Captain Davie Weir insists they must solve their discipline problem if they are to they are to stop dropping points. "It's something we've got to address" he said.

Rangers have an incredible record at home to Aberdeen. They have won each of the last six Govan SPL encounters and The Dons haven't managed a win here since the 1991/92 season. With the early kick-off in Paisley, Rangers could be as many as five points adrift at kick-off so their necessity for points coupled with the current standard of the opposition makes for business as usual.

Walter Smith's side have overcome big handicaps in their two home games this season where Falkirk and Hamilton were both defeated by 4 goals to one. Saturday's opponents aren't quite as bad as those two but recent performances suggest they might struggle to make the top six again. They shipped three goals in a mid-week Cup defeat at Dundee and it's no surprise to see Mark McGhee's side kick-off as big as [11.5] in the Match Odds.

Rangers start this one at [1.33] in the Match Odds and that's quite big given the circumstances. The three points look a bit of a certainty as it's a bit of a must-win game for the Ibrox side and it could pay to back a convincing home win. Rangers -1.5 goals is available in the Asian Handicap at [1.94].

Hearts look home banker material at [1.56] in their Gorgie Road fixture with Hamilton this weekend. Accies ended a three game losing streak with an impressive 2-0 win over Hibs a fortnight ago but the home draw with an equally poor Falkirk last week suggests it was a flash in the pan.

Csaba Laszlo's side haven't enjoyed a great start to the season either but the fixture list has been anything but kind to them. They were seconds away from taking a point at Celtic Park last Sunday and there will only be one outcome if they apply themselves in a similar fashion on Saturday. It could also be worth backing them to record a comfortable victory with [1.88] on offer for Hearts -1.0 goals in the Asian Handicap.

Recommendations:

St Mirren +1.0&+1.5 goals @ [2.01] (1pt)
St Mirren v Celtic: Under 2.5 goals @ [2.06] (1pt)
Rangers -1.5 goals @ [1.94] (1pt)
Hearts -1.0 goal @ [1.88] (1pt)
Rangers/Hearts multiple @ [1.99] (1pt)

Tags: Celtic fixtures, David Weir, football bets, football odds, Rangers fixtures, Scottish football betting