Gers have no European commitments this term, while the Hoops have at least a further six Europa League group-stage matches to negotiate, starting with Thursday’s visit from Celta Vigo.

In addition to having more time to recover and prepare between matches, Rangers will also have the perceived advantage of playing their weekend league matches before Celtic more often than not over the next couple of months.

However, Derek McInnes’ side missed the chance last weekend to put the pressure on their rivals when they drew 2-2 at Dundee on Saturday night and Martin O’Neill’s side – despite having played away to Benfica the previous Thursday – subsequently hammered Hearts 7-1 on Sunday to open up a four-point gap at the summit.

This weekend, Gers have the opportunity to close to within a point when they host St Johnstone on Saturday before Celtic travel to Hibernian on Sunday.

“The bit I think that favours Rangers, or it should, and there can’t be any excuses from a blue perspective, is they’ve not got Europe,” former Rangers midfielder Thomson said on The Breakdown podcast.

“The likelihood is they’re going to play in front of Celtic week after week. It’ll not happen every week, obviously. But it’s that psychological aspect of being able to win on the Saturday.

“It’s St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday and if Celtic were to potentially have a hard European game (against Vigo) and then they have to go to Easter Road on Sunday. They could still go to Easter Road and win, but I think that’s the exciting part about this title race.”

Thomson, in a discussion with former Celtic player Charlie Mulgrew about a combined current Old Firm XI, added: “I still think you would pick more Rangers players (than Celtic) in a starting 11 now.”