Rangers installed as new title favourites – why Celtic are now outsiders to retain Scottish Premiership crown

After narrowing the eight-point deficit to Celtic, Rangers are the clear favourites to win the Scottish Premiership

for the first time this year.

Both teams are now tied for first place in the standings with 58 points after Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory over Aberdeen at Ibrox.

Celtic leads Rangers by a narrow one goal margin thanks to a +39 goal differential with 55 goals scored and 16 goals given up,

while Rangers are on a +38 goal differential with 50 goals scored and 12 goals given up.

Just five weeks ago, Celtic lead by eight points heading into the Christmas break after defeating

Rangers 2-1 at Parkhead on December 30.

However, after 24 games, the Glasgow rivals are now equal after last weekend’s stalemate at Aberdeen and

Rangers’ victories in their remaining games.

Since Philippe Clement joined the team in October, Rangers have only lost five league games

(the loss at Celtic Park followed a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie), whereas Celtic have conceded 12 points in the same time frame.

Rangers are now the slight favourites at 4/5, according to bookmakers William Hill.

This is the first time this season that Rangers have led the betting market after opening at 3/1. Celtic is still the favourite at

10/11 to win a third straight title and their 12th in 13 seasons.

Celtic have the chance to go three points clear when they face Hibs at Easter Road on Wednesday night,

but Rangers will play their game in hand against Ross County at Ibrox next Wednesday in a

fixture rearranged from the December 27 postponement.