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Rangers title race will end the way it started as Hotline sees through Celtic strife

Andy Newport takes your calls as Martin O'Neill questioned over best win claim

Rangers manager Derek McInnes after the final whistle

Derek McInnes’ Hearts killed off Rangers' title tilt at Tynecastle last season.

But will his old side put a huge dent in the new Rangers gaffer’s hopes of going all the way at Ibrox this term?

The former Jambos boss is set to make his first return to the capital since taking the Gorgie men to within a whisker of Premiership joy.

They’d already stunned Gers by beating them after the split to dump Danny Rohl’s team out of the title fight. This time, however, McInnes knows his Light Blues line-up could potentially find themselves seven points adrift of Celtic should they slip up tonight.

But Craig Dunbar, Paisley, is predicting a big win for the visitors. He said: “It’s going to be a hostile night for McInnes as he makes his return to Gorgie but I really think Rangers will get a result at Tynecastle.

“Although I expect Hearts to create chances and possibly score, they will also give up chances and I reckon Rangers, with the superior firepower up front, will be the difference. I’ll go 2-1 to Rangers. McInnes needs to go with two up front again and hopefully this is the moment for Minsu Kim to break his duck.”

Rangers manager Derek McInnes

Rangers manager Derek McInnes (Image: Andrew Milligan/the Press Association)

Gavin MacLeod, London, said: “Who would have thought we’d even be talking about a title race at Hallowe'en after the horror start McInnes had? Martin O’Neill’s Celtic have been poor but domestically, they keep getting the job done so unless McInnes can get Rangers doing the same, the race will end the way it started at Ibrox.

“It’s clear all is not well at Celtic and, from a Rangers perspective, all we can do is apply the pressure. The European skelpings Celtic have been on the end of haven’t impacted their league form which was probably the hope from Rangers fans. It’s certainly game on.”

Celtic refused to be blown away on a wet and wild day in Leith as they edged past Hibs 2-1. And Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I’m not saying that conditions were farcical on Sunday but in all my years of attending watching Celtic at Easter Road, that’s the first time I’d had a sand bag tied to my back.

“I certainly don’t agree with Martin O’Neill saying it was our best performance so far having just destroyed Hearts the week before. But for Cameron Carter-Vickers' goal-line clearance, we would have dropped valuable points.

“The defender is the glue who holds the backline together and if he’s benched against Dundee United on Wednesday, it will be clear that O’Neill sees his future elsewhere.”

As for the hosts, it was a third defeat on the spin for Marink Reedijk - with Neil Renton, Leith, groaning: “Another Hibs game, another loss for the club. It’s been so long since we won at Easter Road the fans can’t remember how to celebrate a victory. But I’m fully confident it won’t be long until we turn a corner and have something to cheer about.”

Meanwhile, Gary Clark said: “I watched a lot of footy over the weekend and the difference in standard between the Scottish and English top flights is massive. The gulf in class is huge, the EPL is all power, pace, skill and precision while the SPFL’s version of football is almost like a different sport. I believe the standard of player in our top division is at an all-time low with no real plan from our top sides and the SFA to address this major issue.”

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