Celtic surrender title impetus to Rangers
Inverness CT had already taken points from three of their five meetings with the Old Firm this season and are best known for a prior upset victory over Celtic, however that didn't stop their 3-2 triumph over the Bhoys on Wednesday night from catching the majority of SPL supporters off guard.
Celtic fans will be the most shocked of all though as having held the momentum in the title race ever since taking top spot at the end of December, they suddenly find themselves a point behind Rangers with three matches to go and as no Old Firm derbies are left, they no longer control their destiny.
Making matters worse is the fact that two of the Gers' final three games take place at Ibrox, whereas Neil Lennon's side are forced to travel for two of their remaining fixtures, one of which is against the best of the rest in Scotland this term, Hearts, who have lost just once in the capital since October.
It all indicates that Allan McGregor's magnificent late penalty save in the last Old Firm showdown of the campaign at Ibrox on Easter Sunday to earn his side a goalless draw could prove the pivotal moment in the fight for first, with Walter Smith now [1.49] to leave Rangers as a ten-time champion.
Celtic now realistically need to target a perfect return of nine points and hope that their fierce rivals drop points in one of their closing encounters, but as they have conceded only one goal in their last seven outings, in which the Hoops were the only club to take points off them, it's a long shot.
If you do believe that Lennon's men can crash the party and deny Rangers a third straight title in Smith's final season, meaty odds of [2.9] are offered on Betfair.
Who are you backing to be crowned champions? Offer your opinion below...
Published: 5 May 2011
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