Rangers and Celtic are now in contract talks. This weekend, Rangers will face Hibs, who are in form, at Ibrox.
The Light Blues won a 4-3 thriller at Dundee last weekend and are hoping to gain momentum ahead of their crucial Europa League quarter-final against tournament favourites Athletic Bilbao. Meanwhile, Hibs, who upset the apple cart with a victory over Celtic in February, will look to secure bragging rights over another Old Firm heavyweight after drawing 3-3 in their last meeting with the Light Blues.
The game has huge ramifications for the capital club’s European ambitions, and they will be keeping a careful eye on what happens between Aberdeen and Ross County, as well as Dundee United’s trip to Hearts. Meanwhile, champions-elect Celtic must wait until Sunday to play their final away league game before the split. They head to St Johnstone for the first of two meetings with the bottom club, who they will also face in the Scottish Cup semi-finals later this month.
This week, before of a crucial weekend in the Scottish Premiership, we look at some of the most important storylines concerning Celtic and Rangers.
This season, John Souttar has established himself as the key man at centre-back for club and country, and despite a turbulent season behind the scenes at Ibrox, he can be proud of his performances.
Souttar has been constant throughout the campaign, providing a calming presence amid a year of ups and downs. However, he understands that come next season, he will be in the final year of his contract with Rangers, putting the Glasgow club at risk of losing the 28-year-old for free.
The Scotland ace, on the other hand, claims that, while he is eager to resolve his contract problem as soon as possible, it pales in comparison to the seismic changes occurring at the boardroom level.
He explained through Rangers Review: “Yeah, apart from the month-and-a-half I was out injured,” Souttar responded when asked if this was the best period of his Rangers career. Aside than that, I’ve played fairly consistently.
“I’ve obviously got back into the Scotland team too. That’s something I was aiming for after last summer – to get playing regularly here and play as many games as possible. Then hopefully that would see me get back involved with the national set-up. And thankfully I’ve been able to do that.
“To be honest, I’ve not spoken about [my contract] for a while. There have been loads of changes at the club so that situation has gone on the back burner. I’ve not spoken to anyone about it for a while.
“I’m just concentrating on my football and let others deal with what they have to deal with. Hopefully it then gets resolved. There is so much going on at the club just now. I’m sure that when there is some stability that’ll get sorted.
Celtic boss makes ‘huge’ transfer claim
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is closing in on another league victory and still expects to add to the team’s trophy cupboard with a Scottish Cup to go with his League Cup win earlier this season.
Despite the team’s success, the former Leicester City manager is looking for more support to push the club to the next level, since his future is uncertain.
The 52-year-old is planning another European push next season following Celtic’s impressive performance in the Champions League this season, and according to Football Insider, he is looking for investment to help the squad progress even further.
The report explains that Celtic are anticipated to be busy during the upcoming summer transfer window, with a new forward at the top of the Parkhead leaders’ shopping list.
