Tonight will be a test of our mentality. It’s vital we come through it…

Well theRangers as expected beat Aberdeen at Ibrox last night to go level on points with Celtic but still in second place as they failed to achieve the winning margin that would have taken them above Celtic.

Tonight we can stretch our lead again albeit having played a game more, but points on the board are worth more than a game in hand. This is quite simply a must win match for Celtic, no more spilling points can be tolerated.

To get the victory we will not only play to our full potential, but we will have to dig deep and show an extreme level of mental strength. Make no mistake, it will be playing on the minds of the players that we can’t afford anymore slip ups, and that brings its own problems. The pressure will be huge.

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I’m sure Brendan has the players well up for it, and they will know themselves, but they have to show it on the park. The experience of winning titles and the pressures that brings should stand them in good stead as we get ready for a title battle.

That’s where Callum McGregor should come into the equation. He’s not only our skipper but one of our most decorated players. He’s seen and done it all, and he should be drumming it into his team mates what is expected of them.

It’s closer than it should be due to our own failings. We have been poor the past few weeks and that has allowed theRangers to go level with us and renewed their once faint hopes of winning the title.

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Tonight there can be no excuses. If we want to successfully defend our title we need to win, nothing less will do. We have to prove we have the stomach to see off our current challengers. The Celtic support at Easter Road will demand a win and will give the team their full backing and tonight the players have to show they want it as much as the Celtic supporters do.

Dig deep, give everything and bring home the three points. This is the first game of our title run in and it’s time we went up a gear and pull away from the Second Rangers.

COYBIG