Celtic have lost in the game immediately after three of their previous four European games, shipping nine points which could be crucial in determining the destination of the championship, so it was not surprising they were below par for much of the game yesterday. Fortunately, the Aberdeen goal came early enough to allow Celtic time to raise their game and respond.
How Celtic respond after European games will become even more crucial in the weeks ahead as they have visits to Motherwell, Dundee United and St Johnstone due after our next three Europa League games. Any slim championship aspirations will be extinguished in these games if Celtic are unable to improve performance for the league challenge.
Ally McCoist is defying early predictions and grinding out impressive results for Rangers, who will seldom have started the league with such an impressive defensive record. Six away wins from six games without conceding a goal is the kind of form it takes to win leagues.
Our more immediate challengers, Motherwell, dropped two points on Saturday, meaning we can go two points clear of them if we win our game in hand, however, the teams meet at Fir Park a week on Sunday (three days after Celtic play Rennes), in what looks like being a key game in our season.
