Celtic will go in to next week's Old Firm match knowing that they will remain top of the SPL no matter the result at Ibrox. A Paddy McCourt wonder goal and a late strike by Shaun Maloney lit up a drab encounter at St Mirren's new park. Celtic took a five point lead as the match ended at 2.20pm. Rangers, of course, were kicking off against Aberdeen at 3.00pm but could do no more than draw 0-0. There's was a game of few chances though Nacho Novo struck the base of the post with just 20 minutes remaining. Rangers suffered largely because they had to make do in the midfield without Pedro Mendes, who was sent off against Kilmarnock last week, and Steve Davis who was injured. These two players have been Rangers' most influential this season. Mendes's sending off was Rangers third in three consecutive away matches. Thomson had been dismissed against Hearts and Bougherra against Motherwell. The Motherwell match was the first of three consecutive 0-0 draws that Rangers have had in the league.
Bore all draws
This is Rangers worst goalscoring performance (three 0-0 draws) in the league since the beginning of the 1978/79 season. On that occasion they started as champions with a home 1-0 defeat to Alex Ferguson's St Mirren followed by two 0-0 draws against Hibernian away and Partick Thistle at home.
But it has not been all bad news for Rangers in recent weeks. Their 1-1 draw in Stuttgart was a magnificent result and sets them up nicely for the rest of the group games. Celtic, on the other hand, let slip a lead in Tel Aviv to go down 2-1 to Hapoel.
Rapidly needing a win
With the grudge match against Rapid Vienna (or is that Vapid Vienna?) taking place next Thursday evening, Celtic could be in deep trouble after two matches. This is a must win for Celtic. If Hamburg beat Hapoel on Thursday as expected, and Celtic drop points to the Austrians, their Europa League campaign will effectively be over. Remember, at this level Celtic rely on their home form to ensure progression.
STV
At least the Celtic - Rapid match is on television, Channel Five 8.05 KO. How obsecne was it last week to have to endure Liverpool playing Debreceni instead of watching Rangers play in Germany? STV should be ashamed of themselves for not securing the games of the Scottish representative in the Champions League. Same nonsense happens this week as Manchester United versus Wolfsburg takes precedence over the Scottish Champions.
League Cup
In the 1960s and 1970s it took a team the best part of 10 matches to win the League Cup. Now Celtic and Rangers can pick the trophy up having played just four games. On Wednesday Celtic played Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium and trounced the Bairns 4-0. Paddy McCourt scored his first ever competitive goal for Celtic. Rangers beat Queen of the South 2-1 with goals from Steven Naismith and Nacho Novo before Robert Harris scored to make things a little edgy in injury time. This third rate tournament really ought to be sidelined completely. Celtic and Rangers should give their young players every chance to cut their teeth in this competition. To their credit Celtic made eight changes including Lukas Zaluszka in goal for the first time but still their squad was full of fairly experienced players. Rangers' selection at Palmerston showed the paucity of their squad as they continued with the usual first team players.
The draw for the next round:
Celtic v Hearts
Dundee v Rangers
St Johnstone v Dundee United
St Mirren v Motherwell
To be played w/b 26 October
